What else is growing around the tree?

Hmmm. My vote it cut the one on the left. Next year cut the bottom right. Then again I am in st louis not there.

Any thoughts on how to cut it? I have tried lopping shears and then an electric chain saw with near disastrous results ): You can see the mark on both the root and the base of the tree.

The darker root on the right is already cut and is sticking up.

"What else is growing around the tree?"

Nothing of consequence within a 15' radius. Just beyond that is another maple about the same age, and one that is 50 years old about 20' away. I cannot imagine that the roots are from the old maple are there as I can dig the ground between the two. and only find roots that are much smaller.

I am figuring that I should not have augmented the soil when I planted this one. I hear that when you do, the roots stay local in the better soil and avoid the common soil of the general yard.

I probably did not cut the wrapped roots before I planted it.
Lesson Learned late....

I also hear that once girdled, they will grow back after being cut.

What would I cut it with?

My electric chainsaw or sawzall are pretty exact tools if a handsaw is out of the question. Probably a handsaw at a non typical angle. I bet two cuts also just to make a decent gap so it doesn't graft itslef back together.

you have nothing to lose.. cut them .. as noted over a period of time ... use a hose to flush out more soil to see better ...

cut roots are supposed to reroot ... that is irrelevant ... as they will not grow back in circles ...

this is an aggressive maple.. well established.. i doubt it would care if you did them all at once.. but i wouldnt bank on that ... lol

ken

That looks fairly easy to cut out, so should be a candidate for removal. Need to wash, brush, dig more soil away to get better access tho. A water hose will do wonders washing away soil.

Try to pry out the circling root after cutting, as long as you can avoid damaging the trunk. A stout screwdriver could act as a pry-bar, but pry against soil, not against the trunk.

I would cut the roots you choose with a wood chisel.
Mike

"you have nothing to lose.. cut them."

Apparently, I have nothing to lose whether they get cut out or not.

I had a reliable and highly recommended tree surgeon stop by and since there is no damage showing up in the tree, especially the top tips, then there is no reason to take out the roots, or even disturb them. He mentioned that they used to make their "bread and butter" on these extractions but have come to realize that it is not necessary.

I held back my horror and seriously doubted his intelligence on the topic and as a professional but then I received a reply from a popular "on-air garden advise" host who said the same thing "Leave it alone".

Quelque dilemma!

"I would cut the roots you choose with a wood chisel. "

And I have the most perfect chisel for the job. I did not recall that I have it until you mentioned this. It is 2" wide and 2' long making it easy to swing a hammer and not have to be sprawled out on the ground!