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Shaving off periphery of root ball

Removing the outer portion of the root ball (see photo at right) improves root system quality by pruning off circling, descending, ascending, and kinked roots. This root pruning type has not killed any trees in our research projects as long as we provide ample irrigation immediately (within an hour or so) following pruning. Some of the nurseries beginning to test this procedure have killed some trees. This has been attributed to lack or irrigation following pruning and poor root systems.

The examples below are from tropical and temperate trees growing in 15 gallon (#15) containers. Three gallon (#3) root balls were either shaved (left column) of not (right column) as trees were planted into 15 gallon containers.

View research abstract.
Details of shaving technique

Shaving the periphery of the 3 gallon root ball as it was planted into the 15 gallon container resulted in many cut roots. New roots (right side of photo) can be seen growing from a main root (left side of photo) that was cut. These new roots grew out into the substrate of the 15 gallon container. More roots grow into the 15 gallon substrate following shaving compared to root balls that are not shaved.	This main root met the #3 container wall, branched, and branch roots grow down the side of the container. Tree was not shaved when planted into #15 container so roots remained deflected at the position of the #3 container wall.
Tabebuia was shaved as #3 was planted into the #15 container.	Tabebuia not shaved as #3 was planted into the #15 container.
Red maple was shaved as #3 was planted into the #15 container.	Red maple not shaved as #3 was planted into the #15 container.
Mahogany was shaved as #3 was planted into the #15 container.	Mahogany not shaved as #3 was planted into the #15 container.
Gumbo limbo was not shaved as #3 was planted into the #15 container.	Gumbo limbo not shaved as #3 was planted into the #15 container.
Live oak shaved as #3 was planted into #15 container.	Live oak not shaved as #3 was planted into the #15 container.

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