Over-mulching can cause girdling roots. Trees may decline and prematurely die as a result of the stresses induced by girdling roots. Make sure the tree is planted and mulched properly.
A tree is girdled when something is tightly wrapped around the trunk or stem. A stem girdling root circles or partially circles the base of a tree at or just below the soil surface.
Stem girdling roots choke off the flow of water and nutrients between the roots and branches and food produced in the leaves from reaching the roots. They can also compress and weaken the trunk of a tree at or above the root collar flare (the junction between the trunk and the main roots) causing it to lean and lose its stability. Girdling roots may girdle other roots, but there is no known harm in this. Trees having stem girdling roots suffer a slow decline in health and a premature death. Read More »
Contact Tamke Tree Experts today for advice if you see trees with girdled roots on your property.
Image via missouribotanicalgarden.org
