Stem girdling root removal

Roots that girdle the stem (stem girdling roots) can be removed. There are many examples of this discussed below. If removal is easy and can be performed without damaging the trunk then go ahead and remove them. If removal is difficult consider simply cutting them without removing. One research report showed that removing all roots growing horizontally from two sides of the trunk caused no shoot die-back in the crown. Arborists who remove stem girdling roots as part of their regular tree care program report that roots can be removed until their total cross sectional area is 25 percent of the trunk cross sectional area at 4.5 feet from the ground. We used this 25% guideline to removed roots from 10 live oak with no visible impact on the tree.

 

Removing a girdling root growing over a main root using a hand saw.

After removal, the main root below is uncovered and can grow normally.

Lower trunks sometimes crack when a large stem girdling root is present. Cut this cedar root now and remove as much as possible.

Trunk crack on red maple from a stem girdling root. It may not be reasonable to think we can improve health on this tree.

Removing a larger girdling root can sometimes be accomplished with a chain saw. The two maple stem girdling roots in this photo were not grafted to the trunk.

Cut and remove these roots growing on top of the main flare roots.

This mess of small diameter maple roots growing over the main roots is very difficult to remove on certain trees.

This 4 inch diameter tulip-poplar root is easily removed; removal will improve tree health.

Girdling roots formed early on this elm resulting in a swollen trunk above the roots (see left side of trunk).