What are girdling roots?

Girdling roots occur when the roots of a tree circle the base of the trunk. As the girdling roots continue to grow they will strangle the base of the tree. When this happens it is not good, because it cuts off the flow of nutrients up and down the tree. Girdling roots are a serious concern, as it will often lead to instability of the tree and a slow death of the plant. It can cause the tree to lean and continue growing at an unnatural angle, increasing the risk of it falling.

What causes girdling roots?

Girdling roots are often caused by a tree being left in a pot too long. This can happen due to the restricted area where the roots can spread. After girdling roots are established, even after the tree is planted in the ground the girdling roots will continue to grow and strangle the trunk. This can be solved by cutting away all of the girdling roots before planting a tree in the ground. When growing a tree in a pot, be sure to transplant to the ground or a larger pot before it outgrows its pot.

How can I spot a girdling root?

Girdling roots growing above ground are easy to spot as the appearance of roots wrapping around the trunk is very distinct. However, if the girdling roots are growing underground then they will be more difficult to spot. Underground girdling roots will not be very deep, so if you suspect them then simply dig a small amount of dirt to see if any are present. Another sign of girdling roots is a slanted tree, as the lack of nutrients often cause the tree to grow lopsided.

How can I prevent girdling roots?

When you plant your tree, make sure you don’t pack the soil down too hard to avoid the root system from becoming compressed. Ensure you plant the tree in a hole large enough where the roots can spread. Be sure to remove any material wrapping the roots before planting. Also, before planting, take a look at the roots and loosen them or remove them if there are signs of girdling.

How can I fix girdling roots?

You will need to hire an arborist to remove girdling roots. The top layer of soil will need to be carefully removed first. Once that is done without damaging the tree, the girdling roots will be carefully cut and removed, leaving as much of the non-girdling root as possible intact. Prevention is the best way to deal with girdling roots, so keep an eye out for any signs of girdling roots, and follow the steps to increase the chance of growing healthy roots.