Save Your Trees From Girdling Roots
11/4/2021 | 1m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Learn why girdled tree roots are harmful and how to avoid them when planting trees.
Trees are long-term investments for future generations, but only if they're planted properly. Girdled roots occur when a tree is planted improperly and can severely impact a tree's long-term viability, health, and safety by inhibiting the flow of water and nutrients up and down the tree.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Let's Grow Stuff is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin
Funding for Let’s Grow Stuff is provided by American Transmission Company, Ganshert Nursery and Landscapes, Willy Street Co-op, the Focus Fund for Wisconsin Programming, and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.
Save Your Trees From Girdling Roots
11/4/2021 | 1m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Trees are long-term investments for future generations, but only if they're planted properly. Girdled roots occur when a tree is planted improperly and can severely impact a tree's long-term viability, health, and safety by inhibiting the flow of water and nutrients up and down the tree.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- Greetings from the garden, and welcome back to Let's Grow Stuff .
Today, we are coming to you with an important horticultural PSA about tree health and girdling roots.
Let's get to it.
[upbeat electronic music] What are girdling roots?
Well, they're what happen when a young tree is planted incorrectly.
Girdling roots encircle the tree trunk and as both the roots and trunk grow over time, they begin to press into each other.
That can inhibit the flow of water and nutrients up and down the tree.
The best time to address girdling roots is when you plant a new tree.
Roots should grow out and away from the trunk, never in a circle.
Now, what if we're dealing with an existing tree?
Well, you might be able to see girdling roots at the surface, but the main calling card of girdling roots is a bulging root flare.
And you should be able to see this even if the girdling roots are buried underground.
If your trees have this bulge, contact a certified arborist immediately.
They'll be able to safely excavate around the root flare and, if possible, will remove any girdling roots.
If this is done before the trees begin to seriously decline, most will recover and live long, happy, and healthy lives.
I hope this horticultural PSA helped to open your eyes to the importance of the trees around you, and if you want to learn more, check out our episode on how to plant a fruit tree.
Don't forget, there is so much more to learn online at pbswisconsin.org/letsgrowstuff.
There, we have more videos, tips, tricks, and a blog to help you grow a better garden.
Until next time, happy gardening.
- Announcer: Funding for Let's Grow Stuff is provided by American Transmission Company, Ganshert Nursery & Landscapes, Willy Street Co-op, Focus Fund for Wisconsin Programming, and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.
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Let's Grow Stuff is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin
Funding for Let’s Grow Stuff is provided by American Transmission Company, Ganshert Nursery and Landscapes, Willy Street Co-op, the Focus Fund for Wisconsin Programming, and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.