[CANUFNET] Stem Girdling Roots

Thu Aug 2 15:42:36 EDT 2018

Thanks Jim and to everyone else who has responded!  

I'm not feeling all that confident about removing that root.  I think
it is the one heaving the sidewalk.  The tree is well within striking
distance of a house.

The University of Maryland suggests notching a girdling root so that it
is weaker (less resistance for the growing trunk?) but still
translocating and providing some strength.  Has anyone had success with
this approach? 
(https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/girdling-roots-trees-and-shrubs)

Regards,
Alison

Alison Bond BSc MSc BLA   OALA  CSLA
Landscape Architect and Certified Arborist

ENVISION-TATHAM Inc.    
115 Sandford Fleming Drive, Suite 200, Collingwood, L9Y 5A6
abond at envision-tatham.com I  Tel: 705.445.0422  I  Fax: 705.444.2327  I
 Cell: 705.994.2059 I   www.envision-tatham.com

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>>> james urban via CANUFNET <canufnet at list.web.net> 8/1/2018 9:31 PM
>>>
Julian

I removed large 3-4” diam girdling roots from about 40 lindens that
were about 12-15”dbh.  The roots were very invloved, in some cases
completly circling the trunk and as much as 2” enbedded in the trunk. 
Most trees were starting to decline.  All trees leafed out the next
spring and looked great.  In mid summer a T storm rolled thru and
snapped off almost every one right at the point where the girdling root
was embedded.  Lost the entire planting.   Oh well!!

Jim Urban

On Aug 1, 2018, at 2:27 PM, Julian Dunster via CANUFNET
<canufnet at list.web.net> wrote:

I do not think there is a maximum size limit. Girdling root removal
needs to be done carefully. Locate the root and expose it it back at the
place where it might be cut. If necessary use an AirSpade to reveal the
root free from dirt (but don't go hog wild and blow away all the dirt in
the area, only what you need to remove to see the roots ) -- or hand dig
and brush away dirt around the roots. Then carefully cut it and any
small roots attached and lift it out of the way of the trunk.  Any part
embedded in other roots should be partially chiseled out but avoid
damage to the underlying live wood. Any part of it not affecting the
trunk or other roots may be left in place unless that is the part
lifting the sidewalk. Trees can survive with a remarkably small amount
of fine roots, so you need to consider the structural roots affecting
likelihood of failure, and biological roots affecting health and
survival. If the tree is otherwise healthy rerouting the sidewalk may be
a viable option. The most likely source of damage will be the sidewalk
slab removal and any new landscaping work afterwards. The roots under
the sidewalk are likely (based on photographs shown) to be structural
rather than biological. The finer biologically important roots may
actually be on the far side of the existing slab, right where the new
sidewalk is planned.
There may be no need to purchase the land. Register an easement on it
for the sidewalk that stays in affect until such time as the tree dies
and is removed. The easement might lapse if and when the tree is removed
and can be replaced, at which time the sidewalk could be relocated if
the landowner no longer wishes to see the easement in place. Might be
cheaper than purchase, and purchase might reduce lot size below other
thresholds. For example, a minimum lot size for setbacks in the event of
new development etc.  
On Behalf of Dunster and Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd.Dr.
Julian A Dunster R.P.F., R.P.P.., M.C.I.P., ISA Certified Arborist,ASCA
Registered Consulting Arborist # 378, ISA Tree Risk Assessment
QualifiedHonourary Life Member ISA + PNWISANorth American distributor
for Rinntech www.dunster.ca On 8/1/2018 9:22 AM, Alison Bond via
CANUFNET wrote:

Hello Canufnet,

Does anyone know of guidelines for the maximum size of a girdling root
that can be safely removed?  

The tree in question is a 88cm dbh American Elm, apparently healthy,
but with a large surface root laying across one side of the trunk.  No
obvious symptoms of girdling yet but I imagine it is only a matter of
time.

The municipality intends to replace a sidewalk that has heaved. 
Re-routing it away from this tree will require purchase of portion of
the adjacent residential property so they are wondering whether it is
warranted given the potential for a shortened lifespan because of the
root.

With a road on one side and sidewalks on two other sides, I suspect
that the root system has been constrained and I am nervous about
destabilizing the tree.   (The root is on the west side).  Does anyone
have typical thresholds for this sort of thing?

On the flip side, if the root is left in place, does anyone have any
experience with how quickly a tree will die once the root starts to
girdle?  I've seen anywhere from 'very quick, within a few years' to
'long slow death'.  I realize that there may be more girdling roots
below the surface but this is the information I have to work with.

Thanks for your help!

Regards,
Alison

Alison Bond BSc MSc BLA   OALA  CSLA

Landscape Architect and Certified Arborist

ENVISION-TATHAM Inc.    

115 Sandford Fleming Drive, Suite 200, Collingwood, L9Y 5A6

abond at envision-tatham.com I  Tel: 705.445.0422  I  Fax: 705.444.2327  I
 Cell: 705.994.2059 I   www.envision-tatham.com

This email may contain confidential and/or privileged information for
the sole use of the intended recipient.  Any review or distribution by
others is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this email in
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