Use These Planting Techniques To Avoid Root Girdling

Root girdling can prevent adequate water and nutrient uptake. Photo: David Doll

Root girdling can prevent adequate water and nutrient uptake.
Photo: David Doll

Root girdling is a big problem that, when severe enough, can lead to the death of affected trees.

Root girdling occurs when roots grow back across and around the tree trunk, according to David Doll, a University of California Cooperative Extension nut crop pomology farm advisor for Merced County. “It often ‘strangles’ the trunk as the roots and trunk enlarge,” he explains.

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Root girdling can cause many problems, including reduced uptake of water and nutrients. “As the roots continue to constrict the xylem and phloem, the tree will becomes stunted, and, if severe enough, may die,” Doll says. “Usually death is a combination of loss of structural integrity from a constricted trunk, death from overwatering or Phytophthora, or death caused directly from the constriction.”

How To Prevent Root Girdling
Luckily, there are precautions growers can take to reduce the risk of root girdling. Proper planting is paramount. Doll says holes should be dug wide enough and deep enough to fit the root system without the roots bending. If you’re planting potted trees, holes must be deep enough to prevent the bottom of the root mass from bending upwards. “This causes a ‘J-root’ or root shaped like the letter J, which can also create issues,” Doll explains.

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He adds that potted plants shouldn’t be pot-bound. If they are, growers should use younger plants instead or break up the root mass to spur outward root growth. “Some new pot technologies may help with root girdling, but for the most part, we should try and plant younger trees,” Doll adds.

If you discover a root girdling problem well after trees are planted, unfortunately, there’s nothing that can be done to remedy the problem. Doll says it’s best to remove affected trees and plant new ones, being sure to follow the guidelines mentioned above.

“As more nurseries move to potted trees, this issue will become more prevalent,” he adds. “When trees are received, inspect them for the degree of being pot-bound, which is indicated by lignified/hardened roots that are bent from growing to the shape of the pot.”

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