Plant Health Alert – Excavate Root Collars to Save Trees

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girdling roots

This paperbark maple tree in the Extension Office landscape was dying on one side. You can see that the trunk is flat on the dying side at the ground level. You can also tell the tree is planted too deep.

Most tree health issues can be traced to a LSREP…Lower Stem Root or Environmental Problem. LSREPs can be physical root damage, trunk damage, root diseases, etc. Always these tree issues are a serious threat to plant health.

girdling roots dying limbs

Limbs on one side of the tree were dying and the trunk was flattened on the same side.

Whenever I look at a sick maple, the first thing I do is excavate the root collar and look for girdling roots. Maples are notorious for girdling roots especially when planted too deep or mulched too heavily over years.
girdling roots maple

Once the root collar was excavated, a girdling root was found. The root has grown up against the trunk and was cutting off water to the upper stem from the roots.

Girdling roots are roots that wrap around the root collar. This is caused by being planted too deep or if trees are planted while still in the burlap and basket. Also look for nylon strapping or any other object that can girdle the stem. Probe the bark to see if there are any dead areas on the lower stem.
lichens on trees
Lichens are crusty creatures made up of algae and bacteria. They can be found growing on rocks, dead logs, and any other object that does not move. Trees should be adding girth annually. As stems grow, bark is shed and lichens cannot grow. So, when you see lichens on the stems of trees or shrubs, this indicates the tree has not grown well in the last years.
root collar excavation

This Chinese elm was not growing because it was planted too deep. A root collar excavation was performed.

root collar excavation

A trench was dug to drain the excavated root collar.

tree rescue

The tree several years later in 2020 had grown into a nice tree thanks to the root collar excavation.

In the case of the pictured trees, some root collars were buried 6-12”. Tree roots need oxygen; excessive mulch or soil piled over the root system suffocates the roots and plants die slowly.

root collar excavation

The same tree in 2023 is doing great!

To remediate plants that are planted too deep or buried in mulch, I recommended raking out the mulch from around the trees and shrubs, excavating the root collars (where the roots meet the trunk), and maintain mulch to a depth of no more than 2-3 inches. excavate the root collar (where the roots meet the trunk). This area should be exposed to the air and not buried in soil or mulch. This usually saves the tree.

Trees that have been buried for years can be rehabilitated. The shorter the amount of time between burying and rehabilitation the better of course. The soil must be removed back down to the original grade as much as possible. The root collar (the junction of the roots and the stem) should be exposed to the air. Aerating the soil around the roots using an air spade or auger and applying organic matter and low nitrogen fertilizer can help too.

tree planted too deep girdling root

This tree was planted too deep and girdling root formed strangling the stem. Photo by Steven Carroll, Schneider Shrub and Tree Care

tree planted too deep girdling root

This tree was planted too deep and girdling root formed strangling the stem. Notice that there is not ‘flare at the base of the tree where the roots meets the stem. Thant means the plant is too deep. This leads to girdling roots. Photo by Steven Carroll, Schneider Shrub and Tree Care

tree planted too deep girdling root

This tree was planted too deep and girdling root formed, strangling the stem. It is critical to the health of the plant that the is cut and removed. Phot0 by Steven Carroll, Schneider Shrub and Tree Care

tree planted too deep girdling root

This tree was planted too deep and girdling root formed strangling the stem. After the girdling root was removed you can see the damage done to the trunk. Amazingly, the tree will likely recover and go on to live a normal life. Photo by Steven Carroll, Schneider Shrub and Tree Care.

dogwood root collar excavation

This dogwood looked ok several years ago…

dogwood root collar excavation

Today it has obviously declined…

dogwood root collar excavation

A root collar excavation on the dogwood shows how the soil and mulch constricted the trunk leading to the tree’s decline in overall health.

maple root collar excavation

You can see the tangle of adventitious roots exposed after this maple root collar excavation. The tree was planted too deep and the burlap, strapping and basket were not removed.