[CANUFNET] Stem Girdling Roots

Thu Aug 2 19:21:51 EDT 2018

Hello Alison,
A question for the planners maybe; Does this road truly need a sidewalk? or could it go on the other side of the road (this has been done in another City for this reason).

One note: (given I love trees and preserving where possible, and likely what Julian was eluding to) given the track records of American elms and DED here, is it best to plan too much around this one at an intersection?  I doubt a new tree would ever be planted there if given the opportunity.

Peter Shields
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist ON-0570B, TRAQ
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #536
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(705) 500-4860

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On Aug 1, 2018, at 9:31 PM, james urban via CANUFNET <canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>> wrote:

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<mailto: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 Qualified
Honourary Life Member ISA + PNWISA

North American distributor for Rinntech
www.dunster.ca<http://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.
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