Girdling roots can cause significant problems for your trees. Most homeowners do not know what girdling roots are, but they have problem seen them. Healthy trees have a smooth and even trunk flair transition from the tree to the ground. The base of a healthy tree gets larger and spreads out as it reaches the soil. In most cases of healthy trees, the roots are buried and not exposed. Most girdling roots can be tracked back to improper installation, unfavorable growing conditions or physical impairments. Girdling roots can often be found with container grown plant material. When trees are grown in containers, they are more likely to encounter girdling roots. The term “root bound” refers to girdling roots. If you are installing container grown plant material, it is important to prune the roots prior to the installation of the plant. Simply slicing groves all around the root ball and hand pulling the roots apart will greatly reduce the chances of girdling roots. If the roots are not pruned, most likely they will continue to grow in a ball formation. When the roots get larger as they continue to grow, they will eventually choke out the tree. Girdling roots can reduce moisture and nutrient up take.
Soil and unfavorable growing conditions can cause girdling roots.
Heavy clay soil can also contribute to girdling roots. If the roots of the tree are not allowed to spread out, they may grow together and become bound. Unfavorable growing conditions such as planting trees in parking lot islands or small cement planters can also cause girdling roots. Most tree’s will not do well in these areas because they limit the expansion of the tree’s root system. Tree installation in these areas should be inspected on a regular basis as to identify girdling roots as soon as possible. In some instances girdling roots can be corrected and in others it cannot. It may be necessary to replace trees that present girdling roots because of the risk potential that they present.