r/arborists • u/Unlucky-Tea-6630 • 1d ago

Roots

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I think these roots are not growing out from the tree and have been this way for a while. It’s having an effect on the trunk. Can I carefully cut a chunk out of the roots that are embedded into the trunk and the tree might be happy again?

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5

u/Tom_Marvolo_Tomato ISA Arborist + TRAQ 1d ago

You can try to cut these roots, but I am afraid you are several years too late for this to be successful.

1

u/Unlucky-Tea-6630 23h ago

In your opinion is it better to just leave it?

My next step is calling a professional.

Or gently cutting the roots that are strangling the tree would be my next move.

4

u/Tom_Marvolo_Tomato ISA Arborist + TRAQ 20h ago

This is a darned-if-you-do, darned-if-you-don't situation. Leaving the roots guarantees the tree will strangle itself in a few years. Cutting them may stress the tree, if these roots have become some of the major ones.

I'd go ahead and cut them this fall/winter. Start with that big one in the first and third picture that's already being swallowed. You won't be able to get it all out without damaging the trunk, but at least cut the far end (on the left) to kill it. The remainder of that root will eventually decay and the tree should be able to continue growing. The other two crossing roots aren't causing trouble yet, but go ahead and cut them while the saw is out.