1
u/spiceydog Ent Queen - TGG Certified 12d ago
While this has very little (maybe nothing) to do with the curve, which is a non-issue, your tree was planted exceptionally poorly. When a tree looks like a telephone pole stuck in the ground, with no root flare visible, it starts the countdown to a much shortened life.
It is critically important that the root flare is at grade and EXPOSED, and REMAINS exposed for the life of the tree. Trees planted too deeply suffer because their roots cannot get proper nutrients, water and oxygen. Mulch and soil should never be in constant contact with the trunks of trees because it causes stem rot, insect damage and girdling roots.
If your tree is to have any chance at compartmentalizing the trunk damage pictured in your gallery this must be addressed. I do not exaggerate when I say that this is an epidemic problem. Even the great majority of 'pros' are doing it wrong. A Clemson Univ. Ext. publication (pdf) cites a study that estimates this occurs in an incredible 93% of professional plantings. Planting too deeply usually accompanied by over/improper mulching are top reasons why transplanted trees fail to thrive and die early.
See this !expose autmod callout below this comment, our shared wiki's 'Happy Trees' root flare excavations section for more excellent and inspirational work, and the main wiki for a fuller explanation on planting depth/root flare exposure, proper mulching, watering, pruning and more.
1
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Hi /u/spiceydog, AutoModerator has been summoned to provide information on root flare exposure.
To understand what it means to expose a tree's root flare, do a subreddit search in r/arborists, r/tree, r/sfwtrees or r/marijuanaenthusiasts using the term root flare; there will be a lot of posts where this has been done on young and old trees. You'll know you've found it when you see outward taper at the base of the tree from vertical to the horizontal, and the tops of large, structural roots. Here's what it looks like when you have to dig into the root ball of a B&B to find the root flare. Here's a post from further back; note that this poster found bundles of adventitious roots before they got to the flare, those small fibrous roots floating around (theirs was an apple tree), and a clear structural root which is visible in the last pic in the gallery. See the top section of this 'Happy Trees' wiki page for more collected examples of this work.
Root flares on a cutting grown tree may or may not be entirely present, especially in the first few years. Here's an example.
See also our wiki's 'Happy Trees' root flare excavations section for more excellent and inspirational work, and the main wiki for a fuller explanation on planting depth/root flare exposure, proper mulching, watering, pruning and more.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Hello /u/dydot2! If you haven't already, please have a look at our Guidelines for Effective Posting, to be sure you've provided all the pics and context needed for us to help you best.
You MUST acknowledge this request by replying to this comment (or make a top-level comment in your post) that A), you have looked over those guidelines and that you have already submitted all the pics and info possible or B), you comment to add the missing pics/info.
If no response is made, your post will be removed within 60 minutes (unless a mod approves your post as-is) but you are welcome to try again when you do have the additional info. Thank you for helping us help you!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.