girdled roots

[simonm]

I understand girdled roots can send a tree into decline. Could they also cause decay below ground level? The tree in question is a small leaf lime around 25 years old growing on a bit of a banking sandwiched between 2 walls.

[swinny]

How big is the root an how bad is it girdling the stem? If it was small enough surely it could be severe to allow tree to grow well

[simonm]

Its a decent size, i managed to snap it of and it was well rotten, concerned with it being on the banking apparently its leaning more than it was a couple of years ago. Its put out large butress roots on the opposite side of the lean to compensate, i cant see whats going on below ground and with the roots being girdled how bad is the rest of the root system?