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Pacific Northwest Exchange Trees Maples

Should I cut off this root?

6 months ago

This is a ‘Crimson Queen’ Acer Palmatum Japanese Maple. It’s been in ground since @ 2015 or so & was a B& B 3’ tree when purchased. We planted it so I know all twine cut away & roots spread. This was a problem spot as too wet & clay soil. DH dug a french drain type of thing to China so there’s no standing water underground. The root I’m showing you has been there awhile but I just focused on it this afternoon. I realized it’s not rooted or touching the ground close to the tree as other similar very large roots are doing. I can easily place my fingers under the root most of the distance from tree to pipe. My question is - should I lop it off at point it surfaces close to tree? It goes underground close to a large landscape boulder & a spigot that’s connected to our inground irrigation system. I have no idea what caused damage to bark around the root.

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Comments (4)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 months ago
Since Japanese maples can be inordinately fussy about their root system and can react rather negatively to any disturbance, I'd be strongly inclined to just leave it be. It is certainly not hurting the tree leaving it in place. I would bury the area in a decently thick layer of mulch or wood chips, however.

The root bark blemish is probably due to exposure. NBD
KW PNW Z8 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
KW PNW Z8
Original Author
6 months ago
Thanks so much @gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) - I was hoping to catch your attention! I’m very happy to just let it be & I do have an unused bag of mulch I’ll cover it with for coming winter. This tree has done well & I had been trying to train the tops up with bonsai wire for a taller tree with the guidance of a neighbor. I’ve given up on that after a few years. It usually colors up well & seems healthy so I’m happy to let things be.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago
how did it get that wide gaping wound.. 4th pic

and why is it bothering you ... its just there minding its own business.. and you want to truncate it... why ..

dont fix that which isnt broken ...

now.. if it were out in a path..and you kept tripping over it.. or you kept shaving it with the mower.. reopening the wound all the time.. maybe then we would do something about it ..

ken
KW PNW Z8 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
KW PNW Z8
Original Author
6 months ago
@ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5 - I wondered about that healed damage to the root too & have no clue how that happened or when. It’s obviously not new damage & it’s not in a path or position to have anything dragged over it. We did have irrigation system work done 4 -5 years ago that involved major digging - that’s when the spigot pipe the hose is leading to in first picture was put in so maybe that crew did it & I never noticed, As you might be able to see - or already figured out, this tree is in a planting bed next to a path. It’s in the front of our house & though there’s a gate on that side too it’s kept locked as we go in / out the gate on other side where garage is. So, I just am not looking at this side close up that often. But, yesterday while mulching & tidying up in general & looked at this root again & wondered about it. What I hadn’t noticed before is that it is totally above ground for so much of its length & I can get my fingers under it easily. That’s what made me wonder if it should be cut off & if this would be time of year to do that. I’m happy to leave it alone & happier that you do agree with GG’s advice too. Thanks for your response!

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