Good tip from Andy at Dirt School - approach the section on the downhill side of the trail and aim to finish it on the uphill side.You're still doing all the good stuff above about hitting the roots square-on, light on the bike, etc. but the slight change to the approach angle helps to counteract and slip and does a lot for your confidence!
I assume this means you're less likely to slide along the root if travelling across it up the slope. Seems to make sense.
Vorlich -
OK, so you're approaching a rooty section of trail. For the sake of argument, let's say the trail is straight!
The trail will be contouring across the hillside and will have some kind of outslope itself, so one side of the trail will be downhill, the other will be uphill. Even if the trail is completely flat (let's say you live in England or something... 
) the roots themselves will have some slope - they'll be higher closer to the tree.
As you approach the section, position yourself on the downhill side (outside) of the trail.
Just before you hit the first root, aim your bike at the uphill (inside) edge of the trail at the far end of the rooty section.
At the same time, unweight the bike (use the first root as a boost if you like). "Float" the bike through the section, ideally not re-weighting it until you reach the far end. This will, of course, depend how fast you're going, how good you are at popping the bike up and how long the section is!
The slight bit of inward steering compensates for the slippiness without being enough to mean you're not hitting the roots straight-on.
If you're not sure what I mean by weighting/unweighting the bike ("pumping the trail"), might be best to get some input from a skills day or a more experienced rider. Not the easiest thing to learn on the web!
EDIT: Top-tip - look at your exit point from the section, not at your front wheel! (Also applies to riding North Shore and riding rails on a snowboard!).
wwaswas - I love that post!!
I usually find that suicide grips and a quick prayer works well.
don't have your tyres too hard.apparently body positioning/weight distribution is the way to keep grip not soft tyres.
Aim to hit them square on, stay loose, don't brake and just as I'm passing over them close my eyes. Working well so far this winter 
I try to follow riders who do this and then there's plenty grippy surface.
bah.. Trailmonkey rolled to the side of the trail pretty swiftly.. most unsporting in my book..
Target fixation seems to be a common theme too. Don't look at them, look at the next bit of trail. Chances are you'll be long past them by the time you remember to fall off.
Bunny hop them.
Vorlich -OK, so you're approaching a rooty section of trail. For the sake of argument, let's say the trail is straight!
The trail will be contouring across the hillside and will have some kind of outslope itself, so one side of the trail will be downhill, the other will be uphill. Even if the trail is completely flat (let's say you live in England or something... ) the roots themselves will have some slope - they'll be higher closer to the tree.
As you approach the section, position yourself on the downhill side (outside) of the trail.
Just before you hit the first root, aim your bike at the uphill (inside) edge of the trail at the far end of the rooty section.
At the same time, unweight the bike (use the first root as a boost if you like). "Float" the bike through the section, ideally not re-weighting it until you reach the far end. This will, of course, depend how fast you're going, how good you are at popping the bike up and how long the section is!
The slight bit of inward steering compensates for the slippiness without being enough to mean you're not hitting the roots straight-on.
If you're not sure what I mean by weighting/unweighting the bike ("pumping the trail"), might be best to get some input from a skills day or a more experienced rider. Not the easiest thing to learn on the web!
EDIT: Top-tip - look at your exit point from the section, not at your front wheel! (Also applies to riding North Shore and riding rails on a snowboard!).
Thanks for that lengthy explanation. I think I understand what's being said, but isn't that advice contrary to the 'hit the roots perpendicular' advice most people seem to suggest? I've read Ned Overend's book, so I'm familiar with many techniques, but my ability to put them into action varies considerably from one day to the next, depending on testicular fortitude, etc...
Simply build a sanitised "all-weather" trail over the top of them.
so what's the best line across these then?
across that path at the top
Thanks for that lengthy explanation. I think I understand what's being said, but isn't that advice contrary to the 'hit the roots perpendicular' advice most people seem to suggest?
Not really - you're just hitting the roots at 85° instead of 90° - we're not talking about a big difference. And that's assuming that the roots run directly across the trail - they might not!
Also, the bit of inward momentum is often balanced-out the slip on the roots. If you do hit them dead-straight, you may find yourself dribbling to the outside by the end of the section.
wwaswas - Jet pack?
probably a jet pack - there's a 15ft drop at the far side...
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