Girdled roots

[David Humphries]

Is it generally reccomended that relatively small girdling roots should be cut off then? Obviously taking into account the vitality of the tree. Just I've noticed a few trees around where I live, that I can see having problems later on.

 

I would tend to agree with that.

 

Tackling them small deals with any future problems with as small a cut/wound as possible.

 

 

 

 

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[Paul Barton]

This poor Pine is being girdled by an adjacent Sycamore root!

[David Humphries]

This poor Pine is being girdled by an adjacent Sycamore root!

 

Is it 'poor' Paul?

 

Any crown symptoms?

 

 

 

 

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[David Humphries]

Metasequoia that's done the job itself and forced the girdler to snap at its weakest point......

 

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[Mark J]

That's excellent.

[jomoco]

Since such a large variety of trees with crossing upper structural limbs graft together naturally, why wouldn't those species' roots do the same?

 

Forced grafting is something I'd like to tinker with at home. The few old timers I've spoken with about it, speak of matching polarity between the crossing branches. Which I assumed meant both branches must flow in the same general direction for grafting to occur?

 

Any recommended reading David?

 

Jomoco

[David Humphries]

..........Any recommended reading David?

 

Jomoco

 

Cassian Humphrey's article is from a while back, but it's a good read

 

http://naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/sites/naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/files/Tree-Welding-and-Natural-Grafts-the-Magic-of-Myrtaceae.pdf

 

 

 

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Edited August 9, 2016 by David Humphries

[jomoco]

Fascinating pictures and reading David.

 

Thank you very much.

 

Jomoco

[inthewoods]

Cassian Humphrey's article is from a while back, but it's a good read

 

http://naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/sites/naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/files/Tree-Welding-and-Natural-Grafts-the-Magic-of-Myrtaceae.pdf

 

 

 

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Nice one, thank you

[jomoco]

So there are species whose roots graft naturally.

 

Which begs the question whether removing girdling roots from those species is wise or warranted?

 

Would lack of wind generated abrasion wearing away bark n phloem in a rooted situation contribute to the girdling affect by keeping the two cambium layers apart?

 

 

Jomoco