Girdled roots

[treeseer]

Fantastic thread. Are there any cases where it can be proved that "un-girdling" has resulted in an improvement in tree health. I'm not doubting it helps.

 

With so many variables, it depends on the level of 'proof' you're after.

Research by Tate (1973) and Smiley document crown improvement after removing girdlers.

 

Here's the elm that was root-pruned in 2007. A 2009? pic on page 4 here: http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/LBG-III-Managing-Stem-Girdling-Roots1.doc.pdf

 

Pruning wound-red pin- closed 1"/year. The 2 green pins show points on buttresses where compressed bark was traced/scraped down to phloem. These same points have the greater outward growth, as shown in volume and the biggest flaking bark plates above. Blue pin marks point where restored growth appears to be overgrowing the inclusion.

 

It's understandable to avoid wounding, but worse wounding comes from included bark, which is inevitable if compressed bark stays in place. I know the practical pendulum has swung away from 'surgery' and intervention', but in this case it maybe oughta swing back a smidgeon.

[David Humphries]

It would appear that it's not just girdling roots that trees have to tolerate.

 

More often than not it should be local authority employees who perhaps should have girdlers to deal with around their vascular pathways

 

 

 

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[David Humphries]

Not one of ours, but a resource draining & recurring theme out in the metropolis.

 

 

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[treeseer]

so, in the previous post looks like a mowing machine got a bit too close.

 

Is glyphosate really all that bad?

 

and in this one the maple had some pruning done with a truck it seems,

 

and no one straightened the roots or took that wooden stake out

 

why the removal? crown looks good dunnit?

[David Humphries]

so, in the previous post looks like a mowing machine got a bit too close.

 

Is glyphosate really all that bad?

 

and in this one the maple had some pruning done with a truck it seems,

 

and no one straightened the roots or took that wooden stake out

 

why the removal? crown looks good dunnit?

 

 

Not a mower Guy, perhaps the scale is not obvious. (My bad, should add something in to shot for context)

This is on a tightish footpath bend where large vehicles (tractors etc) navigate too closely. Damage has been caused by a very big tyre.

 

 

The removal does appear arguably unnecessary.

Not entirely sure what the replacement strategy is of that authority.

Somewhat random, from the number of the ailing trees that I see that do get left to linger in poor condition too long.

 

 

 

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[David Humphries]

Not a mower Guy, perhaps the scale is not obvious. (My bad, should add something in to shot for context)

This is on a tightish footpath bend where large vehicles (tractors etc) navigate too closely. Damage has been caused by a very big tyre.

 

Unlike this one from a couple of days where it is the incompetence of the mower operator

 

 

 

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[Gary Prentice]

just needs a band aid.......

[treeseer]

Unlike this one from a couple of days where it is the incompetence of the mower operator

 

 

 

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Also in that shot the incompetence of the istaller is on display; buried flare. re band-aid, tacking the bark back on might arguably do some good.

 

I cannot think of a reasonably arguable pupose in removing that street tree. Assessors tend to judge a book by its cover. Branch scars are irrelevant to structure; roots could be fixed , or ignored, either way the tree is viable, maybe for a good long time.

 

Unless I am missing something?

[David Humphries]

Also in that shot the incompetence of the istaller is on display; buried flare. :

 

Although 5 years ago, I don't recall this or its neighbour opposite having a particularly pronounced flare.

 

perhaps the remnants of the degraded mulch is producing an optical illusion?

 

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[David Humphries]

just needs a band aid.......

 

re band-aid, tacking the bark back on might arguably do some good.

 

 

Would perhaps hide an eyesore, but not entirely sure it would do much else?

 

Might cut back the left hand side of the bark to where its not loose to enable & promote callous regrowth

 

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