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Japanese Maple tree girdling..how and when to fix? pics

7 years ago

I have a fireglow JM that has what I think are some root girdling issues judging by appearance. The tree seems healthy otherwise. It's been in the ground since last spring. When and how should I tackle this? I feel like right now is not the best time. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. See pics below of both sides of base of tree. Btw, it's dark bc it's wet.

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Comments (10)

jalcon
Original Author
7 years ago
I might add. These roots begin to circle well above the soil line and are "part" of the trunk now. Not sure if there is a fix or not.
jalcon
Original Author
7 years ago
Nobody? Wow. I at least expected Ken to chime in and tell me to get rid of it, lol!
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wisconsitom
7 years ago
Sorry for not getting up in the middle of the night to respond! In any case, I'm not sure there's much that can or should be done. You're correct-that looks a mess-but sometimes it doesn't manifest in problems for the plant. Some maple types appear to be able to root graft together, thus maintaining sap flow. This could well be one such case. Additionally, most of the studies I've reviewed point to rapidly returning girdling roots where cuts are made to the roots, leading to regrowth at aprox. right angles to previous orientation. Yes, we know container plant production is one hot mess of ill-formed root systems, but I'm less sure that indicates there's anything to be done about it.....at this point. Maybe at time of planting, something could have been improved.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
well.. its not telephone poled .. lol ...

snip the tiny ones .. and i see in the second pic.. a major root taking off to the left ...

yes. i predict it will die.. sometime in the next 20 to 40 years ...

go find something else to worry about ...

and be a bit more patient on replies ... i too.. like to sleep at night.. rotflmbo ...

ken
jalcon
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks guys. Yeah my OCD is kicking in with this one. Sorry for not being more patient, haha.

So nothing needs to be done. In the second pic, you guys see the root twisting on that side too right? (green arrow). The red zigzags on both photos are where I figured you guys would suggest cutting, just didn't know if it should wait until fall.
bengz6westmd
7 years ago
I'm not sure I'd call that girdling, in the most common definition (circling around the trunk). Still, you might indeed cut as you show. Up to you, knowing that cutting that root will hurt the tree but hopefully recover.
jalcon
Original Author
7 years ago
Is it better to cut something above where the soil where be, or someonewhere that will be covered with soil again. Also, is there a better time to do this?
wisconsitom
7 years ago
These question simply have no hard, fast answers. I tried to allude to the fact that some research shows no benefit-none-to doing such root surgery, the idea being that wherever such cuts are made, two new roots will form at aprox. right angles to the cut. Thus, they will be in perfect position to re-girdle (if such is actually happening). You seem to have flown right past that and want to cut something. My primary "advice" is that perhaps nothing should be done. And like beng said above, these are visible roots, but at least at this point, they are not girdling.

If you want to see full-blown girdling root, get thee to the nearest street full of Norway maples, look for one with a thin, poor-looking crown, then examine the base of the trunk. You will likely find a flat side on the trunk where the very life is being squeezed out of that whole side of the tree. Nothing of the sort is going on with your tree. I am quite certain you are jumping the gun, a gun in this case which might not even get fired.
jalcon
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks - It's not that I "want to cut something". You do see the "crease" in the second picture right? I highlighted it in black in the photo below. I feel like that is cutting off anything to the right of it, and will limit how thick the trunk will ever get. It also cuts off anything under the trunk. (highlighted in brown). Yes, I know...I may be overthinking it. It's just that, yes I've planted nothing short of like 12 trees around my yard since I fell in love with this hobby a few years ago, but this tree is kind of the centerpiece. It's in the front yard, and is a staple tree if you will..
tlbean2004
7 years ago
It doesnt really look like true girdling. ( not that im an expert) But maybe it was plated a little too high up and those roots should have been in the ground.

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