{"id":2752,"date":"2019-05-18T00:04:40","date_gmt":"2019-05-18T07:04:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/pal\/pal-question-549\/"},"modified":"2024-01-31T12:59:21","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T20:59:21","slug":"managing-encircling-roots-or-stem-girdling-roots","status":"publish","type":"pal","link":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/pal\/managing-encircling-roots-or-stem-girdling-roots\/","title":{"rendered":"managing encircling roots or stem girdling roots"},"content":{"rendered":"

I live in Wausau, Wisconsin. Our city planted small<\/strong>
\nmaples two years ago near the street. They are now about 8-10 feet<\/strong>
\ntall. Both of ours show some encircling roots above the surface of<\/strong>
\nthe ground under the mulch. The roots are about 1\/2 inch diameter in one case<\/strong>
\nand a bit larger in the other. Is it too late to prune these<\/strong>
\naway? Any other suggestions?<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The answer to your question will depend, to some extent, on the
\ntype of maple tree you are growing. Silver maple will tolerate
\nroot-pruning, but sugar maples are intolerant of it, and can be
\nmore likely to break in windstorms if roots are pruned. There is
\nalways some risk of loss involved in root-pruning a tree.
\nSource: Iowa State Extension.<\/a><\/p>\n

Since encircling roots are not good for the tree, you probably will
\nneed to prune, but it would be best to consult a certified arborist
\nin your area to make sure this is done correctly. University of Minnesota<\/a>
\nhas a guide (now archived) called “Stem Girdling Roots: The Undergound Epidemic Killing Our Trees” by Gary Johnson. Excerpt:<\/p>\n

Removal is the most common treatment of encircling roots or SGRs
\nthat have caused minimal stem compression. Roots may be removed
\nwith wood gouges, saws, or pruners during the examination process.<\/p>\n

When SGRs have caused extensive stem compression and are fully or
\npartially embedded in the stem, modify the removal treatment to
\navoid damage to the stem. Embedded and severely compressing SGRs
\nare often left in place when they cannot be safely removed; there
\nis some belief that SGRs reduce the typically short life span of
\nurban trees by only a few years, and the potential damage
\nassociated with SGR removal is not justified (Watson et al. 1990;
\nTate 1981). A compromise is to prevent the SGR from growing and
\nfurther compressing stem tissues by severing it at the edges of the
\nstem. Remove the remaining root to a distance where it no longer
\nposes a threat to the stem and allow the severed SGR to decay with
\ntime. Annual examination of the stem to assess for decay is
\nrecommended.<\/p>\n

The season during which SGRs are removed might influence the
\nsuccess of the treatment. Smiley (1999a) found that summer removal
\nresulted in better diameter growth over two years than did fall
\nremoval or a combination of summer and fall removal for red maple
\ntrees under an irrigation system.<\/p>\n

Regardless of treatment, do not backfill the examination area.
\nLightly mulch the exposed roots but not the root collar flare or
\nstem area. Subsequent examinations will not require the
\ntime-consuming removal of soil.<\/p>\n

To find a certified arborist in your area, you can search your
\nlocal chapter<\/a> of the International Society of Arboriculture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I live in Wausau, Wisconsin. Our city planted small maples two years ago near the street. They are now about 8-10 feet tall. Both of ours show some encircling roots above the surface of the ground under the mulch. The roots are about 1\/2 inch diameter in one case and a bit larger in the other. Is it too late to prune these away? Any other suggestions?   The answer to your question will depend, to some extent, on the…<\/p>\n

Continue reading managing encircling roots or stem girdling roots<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","keyword":[682,104],"class_list":["post-2752","pal","type-pal","status-publish","hentry","keyword-aceraceae-maple-family","keyword-pruning"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pal\/2752"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pal"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/pal"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"keyword","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/keyword?post=2752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}