Girdling Roots
Girdling roots grow around or across the trunk or other roots. They act like a tourniquet, restricting and eventually cutting off the flow of water and nutrients to other areas within the tree. They are common on trees planted in urban areas. Although the symptoms of girdling roots show up as the tree is maturing, the problem generally starts when the tree is young.
Two types of girdling roots cause damage. A strapping root crosses over one side of the trunk or toot system, restricting growth on that side of the tree. A circling root wraps around the trunk.
Causes of Girdling Roots
Research has found a relationship between trees that have a root flare below the surface of the soil and problems with girdling roots. The root flare is the area of the tree where the roots meet the trunk. In natural settings, this area is at the soil surface.
Girdling roots are common in trees that are planted too deeply or that settled too deep into the soil after planting. Girdling roots may start when the tree is grown in a container setting. If circling roots are not spread apart or cut at the time of planting, they continue to grow in a circular fashion, sqeezing the trunk and/or other roots as they grow. Girdling roots can also result from squeezing roots into a small, compacted planting hole.
Possible Indications of Girdling Roots
- No visible root flare at the soil surface (the trunk looks like a telephone pole going into the soil).
- The trunk may appear pinched at the soil surface.
- Thin or sparse leaf canopy.
- Dieback at the top of the tree.
- Leaves may be off-colored or slightly chlorotic (yellow).
- Leaves are smaller than normal.
- Early fall color and leaf drop.
- Trunk is flattened on one side.
- Sunscald or frost cracks.
- Wilting or scorching of the leaves.
Is My Tree Worth Saving?
The younger the tree, the more success you can expect with the removal of girdling roots. Girdling roots on a young tree should be cut. As the tree gets larger, removal of the girdling root must be weighed against the injury caused by the root removal.
Contact your RYAN Certified Arborist to evaluate your tree and estimate whether the tree is a good candidate for girdling root removal.