New fixation procedures for soft tissue and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of yellow poplar root material with intact fungi were investigated. The applicability of an x-ray fluorescent system for elemental analyses of fixed materials under observation was also examined. Roots were prepared for SEM viewing by use of chemical fixatives followed by freeze-drying. Results of this study demonstrated that large-volume, soft-bodied plant tissue (roots) and related components (fungi) can be fixed to withstand the high vacuum stress of the SEM with no apparent distortion, and it is possible to preserve components of associations (root-fungi) and contact agents (soil) intact for microprobe analysis as well as SEM viewing.