Most homeowners don’t notice girdling tree roots until the tree starts showing visible decline. By the time the bark compresses, the canopy thins, and the trunk loses its natural taper, the roots have already been cutting off the tree’s vascular system for years. In this blog post, you’ll learn tips to fix girdling tree roots before the damage becomes permanent.
If you need tree services in Senoia, GA, contact Boss Tree Service to schedule.
How Girdling Roots Damage a Tree
A girdling root wraps around the base of the trunk and squeezes the vascular tissue that moves water and nutrients around the tree. The compression restricts flow the same way a tourniquet cuts off circulation. As the root and trunk grow thicker, the pressure increases, and the tissue beneath the contact point dies.
Trees in Senoia’s clay-heavy soil develop girdling roots more often than trees planted in loose, well-draining soil.
How To Correct Girdling Roots in Trees
Correcting girdling tree roots requires exposing the root system and cutting the offending roots cleanly at the point where they cross the trunk. The correct approach for fixing girdling tree roots depends on the severity:
- Minor girdling: Air spade the soil away from the base, cut the girdling root close to the trunk, and backfill with amended soil to encourage healthy root spread
- Moderate girdling: Remove multiple crossing roots in stages over two to three growing seasons so the tree doesn’t lose too much root mass at once
- Severe girdling: Consult an arborist before cutting, since removing a root that has fused with the trunk can open a wound large enough to destabilize the tree
If you’re not sure how severe the girdling is on your tree, contact Boss Tree Service to schedule a root evaluation.
Best Practices To Repair Girdling Tree Roots After Removal
Solutions for trees with girdling roots go beyond cutting the offending roots out. These best practices are also necessary to repair girdling tree roots after removal:
- Mulch the base of the tree in a wide ring to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
- Avoid planting trees too deeply, since burying the root flare is the leading cause of girdling root development.
- Inspect the root zone every two to three years so you catch new crossing roots before they compress the trunk.
If you need help managing your tree’s root health after treatment, contact Boss Tree Service to schedule a follow-up inspection.
Call Boss Tree Service To Schedule a Root Inspection
So, what’s the best way to handle girdling tree roots? Cut the offending roots early, amend the soil, and monitor the base of the tree every few years to catch new growth before it causes damage.
Call Boss Tree Service at (770) 251-8000 to schedule an inspection and professional help with correcting girdling tree roots. If you want to learn more before scheduling service, check out our other blog post about cutting tree roots to understand how root removal affects tree health and long-term stability.