Girdled roots

[David Humphries]

Down below, I sounded the trunk & decided to take out the holly & the girdler

 

Although I've been keeping an eye out for suitable chisels, tbh, I'm finding the selection of odds & sods we already have are ample for these types of girdles.

 

note the Armilaria rhizomorphs in shot 4

 

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[Matthew Arnold]

Some girdles on a large cherry on a site we manage. Going to leave them alone as tree is doing well.

[David Humphries]

Going to leave them alone as tree is doing well.

 

 

Not always about how the tree is 'now' Matthew

 

Removing a girdle today (even a small one) may pay dividends for a tree in its mid to long term future.

 

 

 

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[Matthew Arnold]

Not always about how the tree is 'now' Matthew

 

Removing a girdle today (even a small one) may pay dividends for a tree in its mid to long term future.

 

 

 

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Thats true. Trouble is most of the girdlers are 2 inches and bigger on the surface and we don't have access to the machine you use to go deeper.

[treeseer]

Thats true. Trouble is most of the girdlers are 2 inches and bigger on the surface and we don't have access to the machine you use to go deeper.

But perhaps you have access to a trowel and a garden hose?

 

That said, I understand your hesitation in pruning that big one. That would depend on the species' tendency to graft, and if pruning is decided on, best to wait a couple months for the ideal time of the season, early fall.

 

And again, root-girdling roots are much more likely to graft, so oft best to let them be.

 

But

David's point is a good one, as if we wait til the effects are visible they are very hard to reverse. O and fine chisel work on that beech, Mr. H. Re rhizomorphs, do they suggest holding off on applying soil anywhere near those pruning wounds, and perhaps putting down some sterile aggregate instead?

Edited June 22, 2013 by treeseer

[David Humphries]

Re rhizomorphs, do they suggest holding off on applying soil anywhere near those pruning wounds, and perhaps putting down some sterile aggregate instead?

 

They?

 

 

 

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[treeseer]

They?

 

 

 

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Sorry; i meant the presence of the rhizomorphs, demonstrating the need to keep soil off of pruning wounds. Careless wording there; sounds like those brittle black structures were talking to me eh? Anthropomorphization gone amok.

[David Humphries]

Sorry; i meant the presence of the rhizomorphs, demonstrating the need to keep soil off of pruning wounds. Careless wording there; sounds like those brittle black structures were talking to me eh? Anthropomorphization gone amok.

 

you wouldn't be the first

 

 

I thought about it at the time, but unless the species of Armillaria is identified, then its not really an informed decision, is it?

 

A fair point though Guy, but kinda like hedging ones bets.

 

It could as easily be the relatively benign, weak or secondary parasites of A. gallica or tabescens as much as it could be the agressive mellea.

 

I traced back & stripped out as many of the rhizomorphs as I could see.

 

Will check on the wound each time this tree gets an annual walk over inspection.

 

 

 

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[treeseer]

Will check on the wound each time this tree gets an annual walk over inspection.

 

 

 

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Wouldn't it be grand if all trees got an annual look?

[David Humphries]

Wouldn't it be grand if all trees got an annual look?

 

Mine do

 

 

 

 

Well the ones within our risk sequencing areas

 

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