skip to main content

Not girdling but overlapping root - would you cut it ?

Olivier_NorthFrance

14 years ago

Hi,

I planted this Heritage River Birch 4 years ago (potted small tree which I bare-rooted at planting), it has never been staked and is growing very well. While mulching in its vicinity, I thought I'd take a look at its root collar, cautiously removed some dirt around the trunk and :

{{gwi:491787}}

{{gwi:491789}}

It looks OK except for that overlapping root (on the right in the first picture, detail in the second one) now knitted to the bigger one underneath. At first, I thought cutting it, but was not so sure on second thought, especially because the two roots are knitted, not really girdled (not girdling the stem anyway) and maybe will make one strong root with time. Now I'm inclined not to do anything but thought I'd ask before taking any decision.

Thanks in advance for your opinion and advice,

Olivier.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

Embothrium
14 years ago
Look to me like that much larger root has already been growing around the crossing root for some time. Definitely remove the smaller crossing root.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
why not cut the smaller ....

one cut .... either side.. or both .... maybe dig down on the first pic to expose a place to cut an inch away from the other ....

THEN WALK AWAY ... do not remove it ....

in a while.. who knows how long.. it will start to shrink .... and remove itself from the other ... while the other starts to heal the wound ....

why rip it out and make a big gaping wound???

nice soil ...

good luck

ken
Related Discussions
Girdling Roots and Functional Root Grafts
Q
Comments (16)
Trees and other plants are not an exact science or our jobs would be easy. We look at all research, make the best decision we can, and hope what we do works. Even a tree that is perfectly planted and cared for can; though rarely, develop girdling and nasty cross roots. OP said that most of the trees he was concerned about are young which gives them good chance of recovery with root treatment. Sure the OP may loose some trees to the root surgery but left alone with the problems he described they have little chance of growing up to be nice trees. I have worked with both scientists, businesses and the public and scientists do work in a different thinking zone. They present facts that in science are definitive to them, that is just the way they think. The research that they do has to be used and considered by us, but is not always practical to the real world in which they do not live.
...See More
I'm an idiot! girdling roots inevitable?
Q
Comments (6)
I think you have done the right thing and you may well be OK. Here is what I know, or think I know about girdling roots and maples. First, they can be a big problem and are often fatal. That said, every case where I could determine that a girdling root was killing a tree, the girdling root was around the trunk at or above the root flare. If one root circles another root lower down I am not sure it is a problem, but frankly I have never dug up any dead maple to determine if anything like that killed it. But my theory/idea is that any root below the root flare of a trunk that may be locked up with other roots will generally graft with them and not cause a problem. But a root that crosses the trunk of a tree--at or above the root flare--will not, by itself, develop a graft and defeat the strangling. This may be because the kinds of cells above the root flare are different from what is in a root. Or at least there is some incompatability that prevents grafting, it seems. So, if you keep an eye on these trees as they grow, and if as the roots grow and the trunk gets bigger and bigger, you see some root that seems to be at that time close to the trunk at or above the root flare, you can cut it then. Of course if you could do a little more of what you have been doing and discover any more roots that could be a problem later, cut them. Of course, if the root flare is below the soil, remove the soil to expose it. No, definately don't lose any sleep--you are on top of the problem now! Girdling roots seem to kill a number of kinds of trees. Hickories like maples seem susceptible. But my Norway spruce and white pines in my forest stands often have roots crossing and or partially circling the trunks above the root flares, and these trees graft to them and grow right over them and it seems not to hurt the trees at all. --Spruce
...See More
girdled roots?
Q
Comments (9)
Is the offending root right at the collar of the pine? ==>>> i would say.. yes.. basically.. close enough ... kinda tells you a lot about who jammed it in that pot... dont you think.. what.. potted 6 to 8 inches too deep???? and had you not broken up the media.. and found this.. you would have planted it about 6 inches too deep.. and it would have died long before it strangled itself.. tree bark is not made to be constantly wet ... as ... lets call it.. root bark ... one likes dampness.. one rots in dampness ... just plant it with the offender at soil surface.... so you can see it ... and cut offender in fall or next spring.. but lets be clear.. that root has probably been there many years.. it did not get that big from spring delivery.. to fall bargain ... yes.. it was your picture.. because... as i told you.. i found the HTML code and pasted it where i typed .... ken
...See More
Rooting Pubicalyx cutting, what would you do?
Q
Comments (6)
Remove the brown part of that stem, then remove the bottom two leaves and pot it up in your mix. Water once, don't water again until it roots (you can tell if when you gently tug the cutting, you are met with resistance). Mist it lightly every day or three. If the cutting starts looking pathetic (droopy), check the rooting stem first for signs of rot (squishy, brown or black in color). If rot is present, cut to the nearest healthy stem tissue. You may need to remove more leaves to get a bigger rooting stem. Dunk the root stem in some ground cinnamon (which will help prevent further rot), shake excess off, and pot back up. If all looks okay, and no rot, plop the cutting back in the pot, then you can put the pot in a clear plastic bag, plant and all, lightly mist the plant, blow a couple of breaths of air into the bag, and tie it off/close it. Air out every 2 days. I don't water root, I just plop the cuttings straight into the pot with potting mix.
...See More
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
14 years ago
Yup. Me too. Remove the small one.

Dan
Olivier_NorthFrance
Original Author
14 years ago
Well, I'm glad I asked.

After digging as down as I could, I managed to cut it on the right side without damaging any other root :

{{gwi:491791}}

Good thing some other feeding roots are already coming from the base of the trunk in the same place, they will thicken and grow in the right direction this time.

Thank you for your advice, it was very helpful.

Olivier.
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
14 years ago
:o)

Dan
botann
14 years ago
Nice cut! Good enough for instructional purposes.
Embothrium
14 years ago
I wouldn't, however have cut that branch off. With trees grown for bark effect you want as much bark as possible to be present. And birches do not respond well to pruning cuts of much size.
Olivier_NorthFrance
Original Author
14 years ago
Ron, I limb it up a bit because some other (small) trees and shrubs are growing not far away that I think will appreciate a little more space next year. The diameter of the branch I cut is no more than 1.5 cm (a birch can take that, I think), I prefer to do it now than when it's 2.5 cm (an inch or so). The idea is just to make some room for the understory plantations.

I'll try to take a picture of the whole tree tomorrow to show you the context/surroundings, it's already dark here by now.

Olivier.
Olivier_NorthFrance
Original Author
14 years ago
{{gwi:491792}}

{{gwi:491794}}

Of course, all deciduous are now leafless but hopefully one gets the idea.

Olivier.

PS. the powerlines are far behind.

Related Stories

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Art Deco and Art Moderne

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Get to know the similarities and differences between these architectural styles of the 1920s and 1930s

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Mission

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Spanish colonial missions inspired a style of architecture still popular in the United States

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Complex, Romantic Gothic Revival

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

With its medieval heritage, Gothic design makes a lasting impression in art and architecture

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Ecofriendly Gardening Ideas That Also Cut Chore Time

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Spend less time weeding, less money watering and more moments just sitting back and enjoying your healthy garden

ARCHITECTURE ‘Wolf Hall’ Style: The Secrets of Tudor Architecture

By Luisa Rollenhagen

As American audiences watch a new TV series about the politics of Henry VIII, we explore the elements of his era’s distinctive style

GARDENING GUIDES Garden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom

CENTRAL PLAINS NATIVE PLANTS 10 Top Grasses for the Central Plains

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Low-maintenance grasses provide seasonal interest and wildlife habitat, and aid good design

ARCHITECTURE Modern or Contemporary: What's the Difference?

10 homes illustrate the essence of modern and contemporary home design styles

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

ARCHITECTURE Modern or Contemporary Architecture? The Interiors Edition

See how one expert distinguishes between two popular camps of interior architecture. Do you agree with his choices?

Sponsored

Nova Design Build

Custom Premiere Design-Build Contractor | Hilliard, OH

More Discussions

Spring for your fig tree

7

Enormous silver maple

3

Weeping White Spruce Growth

15

Japanese Maple for sun/shady deck

2

Paw paw seedlings or cuttings

6