Plant Health Alert – Excavate Root Collars to Save Trees
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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.
Limbs on one side of the tree were dying and the trunk was flattened on the same side.
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.
This Chinese elm was not growing because it was planted too deep. A root collar excavation was performed.
A trench was dug to drain the excavated root collar.
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.
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.
This tree was planted too deep and girdling root formed strangling the stem. Photo by Steven Carroll, Schneider Shrub and Tree Care
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
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
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.
This dogwood looked ok several years ago…
Today it has obviously declined…
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.
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.