Q. We notice that some of our trees don’t seem to be
rooting into the soil properly. We
assume it’s due to improper root ball preparation or girdling roots. Our test
to see if the tree has rooted after at least one growing season is to bend the
tree trunk back and forth.
rooting into the soil properly. We
assume it’s due to improper root ball preparation or girdling roots. Our test
to see if the tree has rooted after at least one growing season is to bend the
tree trunk back and forth.
If the
root ball under the soil easily moves when the tree is pushed, we assume that
the tree has poor or little rooting into the surrounding soil.
root ball under the soil easily moves when the tree is pushed, we assume that
the tree has poor or little rooting into the surrounding soil.
We also
believe it’s a permanent problem, not correctable and thus the tree needs to be
replaced. Any suggestions for making a better
evaluation and discovering this potential problem before planting?
believe it’s a permanent problem, not correctable and thus the tree needs to be
replaced. Any suggestions for making a better
evaluation and discovering this potential problem before planting?
 |
| Root circling from container plant |
A. Poor tree establishment due to girdling or circling
roots is a major problem with many plants, not just trees. This problem can
begin at a very early age, even when it is just a seedling. But if plants are
grown too long in containers then the problem can become worse.
roots is a major problem with many plants, not just trees. This problem can
begin at a very early age, even when it is just a seedling. But if plants are
grown too long in containers then the problem can become worse.
Once
roots begin growing in circles inside a container the problem can no longer be
corrected, even at planting time. This problem should be identified before
purchasing and the plant rejected.
roots begin growing in circles inside a container the problem can no longer be
corrected, even at planting time. This problem should be identified before
purchasing and the plant rejected.
 |
| Roots seen circling when pulled from container |
Generally
speaking, plants which are very large compared to their container have a
significant chance of having girdling roots. Buying oversized trees in
containers is no bargain.
speaking, plants which are very large compared to their container have a
significant chance of having girdling roots. Buying oversized trees in
containers is no bargain.
When buying a container plant that I can lift,
I will gently pull the plant a few inches out of the container and inspect the
roots for circling. This includes bedding plants! Secondly, I select trees that
are not oversized for their container. Here is a case where smaller plants of
the same sized containers will out-perform the larger ones.
I will gently pull the plant a few inches out of the container and inspect the
roots for circling. This includes bedding plants! Secondly, I select trees that
are not oversized for their container. Here is a case where smaller plants of
the same sized containers will out-perform the larger ones.
 |
| Surface roots from circling container roots. Notice how the trunk lacks “flairing” at the soil surface on one side of the tree. One way to detect these types of roots when they are present but hidden below the soil surface. |
Plants
in containers should usually root, or become established, in one full growing
season. Large trees, such as those planted from boxes, may take two to three
seasons. Malformed, girdling roots will continue to circle in the same pattern
once they are planted in the ground. Because of this, they will never grow
beyond the planting hole after planting.
in containers should usually root, or become established, in one full growing
season. Large trees, such as those planted from boxes, may take two to three
seasons. Malformed, girdling roots will continue to circle in the same pattern
once they are planted in the ground. Because of this, they will never grow
beyond the planting hole after planting.
In other
words, they stand a good chance of never getting established. If they never
grow beyond the planting hole, the tree roots will never be strong enough to
support the tree when it gets bigger.
words, they stand a good chance of never getting established. If they never
grow beyond the planting hole, the tree roots will never be strong enough to
support the tree when it gets bigger.
 |
| Scoring the rootball can sometimes help repair girdling roots, if they are not extensive, when planting. This NOT a substitute for good plant production practices or poor plant selection. |
A sign
that a tree may have circling or girdling roots after it has been planted is
stunted growth. This stunted growth can take years after planting before it
appears. It is a good idea to identify trees that have this problem early in
their development.
that a tree may have circling or girdling roots after it has been planted is
stunted growth. This stunted growth can take years after planting before it
appears. It is a good idea to identify trees that have this problem early in
their development.
Another indicator
is the presence of girdling roots on the soil surface and a lack of trunk
flaring at the soil surface but this can take years to develop.
is the presence of girdling roots on the soil surface and a lack of trunk
flaring at the soil surface but this can take years to develop.
Your
method is a good one for determining if trees have not become established after
planting. Once the establishment period is over, I use the same procedure that
you prescribe (bending the trunk) to determine if there are girdling roots down
there or not.
method is a good one for determining if trees have not become established after
planting. Once the establishment period is over, I use the same procedure that
you prescribe (bending the trunk) to determine if there are girdling roots down
there or not.
Boxed
trees are replanted from containerized trees. Normally, container trees are
staked as soon as they are planted in a box. However, if the container tree had
girdling roots then they will continue to girdle and never establish in the
box.
trees are replanted from containerized trees. Normally, container trees are
staked as soon as they are planted in a box. However, if the container tree had
girdling roots then they will continue to girdle and never establish in the
box.
There
are three other things that can cause poor rooting into the surrounding soil as
well; poor hole/soil preparation, improper staking or not staking after
planting and watering too close to the tree.
are three other things that can cause poor rooting into the surrounding soil as
well; poor hole/soil preparation, improper staking or not staking after
planting and watering too close to the tree.