Choking Tree !

A girdling root can cause your valuable trees to decline in health and in some cases death of the tree is inevitable.  Sometimes trees have one or more roots that start to grow around the main trunk,  at or just below ground level.  Over time as the main trunk grows in circumference these roots "choke" the tree and restrict the amount of water and nutrients that can be transported to the trees upper branches and leaves.

There are two ways to identify if the tree has a girdling root:

1. The upper branches are losing leaves early in the season, or have started to die back.

2. The main trunk seems to go straight into the ground, without flaring outwards.  Usually the side of the tree where the girdling root is located doesn't have a flare.  In addition, this side of the tree is where top dieback is most common.

What can be done?

Sometimes if you find a girdling root early enough the root can be carefully exposed with a hand trowel/small shovel and an approximately 6" section of the root cut out with a chisel.  This has to be done with care, so as not to damage the tree's main trunk.  By removing a small section of the root, the tree can push the encircling root apart.  This will help increase the flow of nutrients and water to the tree.  By removing a small section of the root instead of just cutting it, there is little chance that the root will reattach and continue to choke the tree.

At this point keep the tree healthy with proper watering and fertilization (if needed) to help it grow.

Good luck in looking for those girdling roots!

You will never look at a tree trunk the same again...