Root Collar Excavation

ccs86 said:
I found the flare a couple inches down. Planting height looks good.

There is definitely some confusion in these roots. I'm going to read through that material before I go further. The root on the left takes a hard right turn and goes behind the tree (not down). These aren't the buttress roots though, right?
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Right; they look adventitious, but being radial are keepers imo. No girdling seen; good news!

What context was that soil-removing caution found in? I forget what I wrote sometimes...
 
The big question at the nursery is finding a plant with a good root system and a nice crown. If I can't find both in the same plant, I'll choose the better root system for sure. It's easier to manage structural improvements on a crown over the span of a few years following installation than it is to work on a root system.

That being said, there are often unpronounced flares that lead me to leave adventitious roots. If I remove soil to find a truly pronounced flare, I'll cut growth above it more aggressively, and especially when there's a huge difference in age of tissue (old flare, very young roots).
 
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ccs86 said:
I found the flare a couple inches down. Planting height looks good.

There is definitely some confusion in these roots. I'm going to read through that material before I go further. The root on the left takes a hard right turn and goes behind the tree (not down). These aren't the buttress roots though, right?
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Really hard to tell, but the main buttress roots are probably still below soil. A stem of that diameter will (should!) have larger buttress roots than what's exposed in the photo.

As others have said, steer towards radial angle of attachment near the flare. If you can carefully bend more flexible roots into a better radial form, unearth them and go for it.
 
Okay, I went a little deeper this morning using compressed air to assist. It looks like I finally found some buttress roots!

I'm hoping that the light "dings" I put in the roots aren't too bad. There were definitely some smaller roots circling the crown that could have girdled it later in life. I pruned those away and am now deciding what else to prune. I will probably try to uproot, straighten, and re-bury some of the larger confused roots.

Is it worth excavating these buttress roots a bit further to make sure they continue radially, or is there little you can do for them at this point?




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Root pruning is a normal part of proper planting.

Too often people do too little. Probably too little way more than too much.

Young trees can have a larger percentage of root or crown loss and recover/ thrive, as compared to medium age and old trees.
 
Ccs, good job digging, no more needed.

Your plan to try straightening some of the slender roots sounds good. If a root is hard to bend, they will probably not react well to pending. So at some point you have to let the trees sort it out. But nice work, and a good photography!
 
guymayor said:
Depends on available equipment. http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-...LBG-III-Managing-Stem-Girdling-Roots1.doc.pdf

Excerpts from the US and German standards:
“Mulch, soil and foreign material should be removed as needed to allow inspection.”

Bark” tracing of wounds shall remove only dead, loose, and damaged tissue.”

Evaluate decay, callus and woundwood growth, and response growth in trunk and crown.” Investigation produces explicit and exhaustive specifications.

Cost-benefit analysis considers ornamental ecological cultural and functional significance of the tree. Objectives are to improve vitality and extend life. Consider supporting instead of pruning, Predict the trees reaction to the work…ability to compartmentalize…Coordinate any works on roots, stem and crown with each other.

83.3.9 The flare and buttress roots should remain visible...

Specify the method, area, depth, tools, equipment and limitations of excavation. Diagnose detectable flare and root diseases and disorders. Protect root and stem tissue newly exposed to sunlight where needed.

Sample specifications Root Collar Examinations using hand tools

Scope: Trees with fill contacting the trunk.
Objective: Avoid damage to the tree from the effects of fill on the trunk. Lessen risk and maintenance needs, improve health. Provide maximum vitality health and safety.
Specifications:
  1. Rake any coarse woody debris or fresh mulch away from the root collar area.
  2. Press the blade of a shovel or a trowel against the trunk. Slide it carefully downward until resistance is met.
  3. Push the handle toward the trunk, moving the blade away from the trunk.
  4. Remove individual adventitious roots <1 cm and stem-girdling roots <1/10 trunk diameter. Manage larger roots per A300 (Part 8), 83.4 and 84.4. Avoid contact between the trunk and any remaining adventitious, girdling, and circling roots.
  5. Lift the fertile material away from the trunk and set aside.
  6. Separate and dispose of any infertile soil and debris. Retain the fertile soil, fine roots, mycorrhizae, and decomposed mulch.
  7. Repeat until trunk and flare are clear, down to the root collar, where buttress roots divide. Use hand tools, or compressed water or air, to clear the root collar.
  8. Consider replanting the tree, if the flare is over 2” below grade and the tree has been in the ground for less than 5 years.
  9. Consider installing a device to control erosion, or remove soil and fine roots outside of the root collar to make a gradual slope.
  10. Apply 2-4” of mulch over the root collar. Avoid mulch contact with the flare.
  11. Incorporate the fertile material into the rootzone where practical near the dripline.
  12. Specify that future management will keep the flare visible.
Specifications for monitoring and maintaining tree health and stability should be
established.When root loss is unavoidable, selective pruning shall be preferred.

ANSI A300 Standard 84.4: Selective root pruning – girdling roots
84.4.1 Roots that encircle or contact (girdle) the trunk or a buttress root should be considered for redirecting or pruning.

84.4.2 Girdling roots should be exposed before pruning cuts are planned or made.

84.4.3 (Girdling roots that provide more benefit than damage should be retained.)

84.4.4 Roots that cross other roots outside the root crown should be retained.

84.4.5 (Avoid damage to the trunk and buttress roots beyond the scope of the work).

84.4.6 If more than one large girdling root is present, root pruning over time should be considered.

Trees in urban areas often show signs of low vitality, which depends on the aboveground and belowground parts. Each tree should be examined individually. If soil aeration, moisture, and nutrients are not available, then improve the growing environment!
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Lol, never accused of being vague are you. Solid information thanks
 
Any time! There is way too much vagueness imposed on tree care--we are told to "assess" tree risk, because "inspect" would have raised the bar too much for the comfort of big corporations.
 
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Container girdled live oaks.
 
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