Tree problems · Other damage
Girdling Roots: signs and what to do
Girdling Roots is a kind of non-living (abiotic) damage, often seen on maples, oaks, linden and honeylocust. Look for: trunk that goes straight into the ground like a pole instead of flaring out at the base.
General information, not a diagnosis. A certified arborist or your county extension office can confirm.
- Other damage
- Maples (especially Norway maple)
- Oaks
- Linden and honeylocust
- Pear and redbud
- Spruce and pine
- Ash
Signs to look for
Tick what you see. More ticks make it more likely, but only an on-site look can confirm.
0 of 7 signs ticked. Ticks stay in this browser only.
Season
The roots grow all the time, but symptoms often show in mid to late summer. Trees usually show trouble many years after planting, because the damage builds slowly.
How it spreads
Girdling roots do not spread like a disease. They form when roots circle in a pot, are planted too deep, hit hard soil or a wall, or are buried under deep mulch. As the roots and trunk thicken, they squeeze the trunk's water and food channels.
Where it is found
Girdling roots can happen to trees in every part of the US, mostly in landscape trees. Check your state official map; ranges change.
Official sources
What to do
- 1
Pull mulch and soil back gently to see the root flare at the base of the trunk. The trunk should widen as it meets the ground.
- 2
Do not cut big roots yourself. Cutting the wrong root can destabilize the tree.
- 3
Call a certified arborist to find out which roots are girdling and whether they can be safely removed.
- 4
Keep mulch two to four inches deep and pulled back from the trunk.
- 5
Water during dry weather while the tree recovers.
- 6
If the tree is badly girdled and leaning, ask a pro about safety and replacement.
Safety first: do not climb, do not cut near power lines and do not use a chainsaw on storm-loaded wood. Call the utility for downed lines and 911 if anyone is in danger.
Prevention
Plant at the right depth, with the root flare at or just above the soil. Cut or loosen circling roots when planting from a container. Keep mulch off the trunk. Do not bury the trunk base with soil.
When to call a pro
Call a certified arborist if you see roots wrapped around the trunk, a one-sided thin canopy, or a leaning tree. Root surgery on large roots takes skill, and a failing tree can be a risk to people and property.
Not sure who to call? Read how to hire a tree service or check is my tree dangerous?
Trees it affects
Usually seen on: Maples (especially Norway maple), Oaks, Linden and honeylocust, Pear and redbud, Spruce and pine, Ash.
- Red Maple
- Silver Maple
- Sugar Maple
- Norway Maple
- Japanese Maple
- Northern Red Oak
- Pin Oak
- Green Ash
- Honeylocust
- American Linden
- Bradford Pear
- Eastern Redbud
- Flowering Dogwood
- Colorado Blue Spruce
- Norway Spruce
- Eastern White Pine
- Tulip Poplar
- Sweetgum
See all species in our tree library, or pick a tougher tree with the tree picker.
For tree companies
How to explain girdling roots to a customer
Explain that this is often a planting or mulching problem that took years to show. Show the customer the root flare, and say clearly that a tree with major girdling may be weak even if it looks green. Offer root-collar inspection, careful root pruning where it suits, and honest advice if removal is safer.
Send this page to the customer after your visit so they can read the signs in plain words. See also selling plant health care and the job photo checklist.
Questions
What is a girdling root?
It is a root that circles or presses against the trunk or other roots. Over time it squeezes the tree's water and food channels.
What causes girdling roots?
Common causes are planting too deep, roots that circled in a nursery container, tight soil, and deep mulch against the trunk.
Can girdling roots kill a tree?
Yes, over time, or they can weaken the tree until it fails in wind. Many trees live many years with a mild case.
Can I cut a girdling root myself?
It is safer to ask a certified arborist. Cutting the wrong root, or too much root, can hurt the tree or make it unstable.
How do I check my tree?
Look at the base of the trunk. A healthy trunk flares out where it meets the soil. Gently move the mulch aside to look. A pole-like trunk may be buried or girdled.
Does deep mulch cause this?
Mulch piled against the trunk can keep bark wet and encourage roots to grow around the trunk. Keep it thin and pulled back.
Can Lirevon diagnose girdling roots on my tree?
No. Lirevon is a remote marketing team for tree service companies and does not do tree work. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. A certified arborist or your county extension office can confirm what is wrong with your tree.
How do I find a good local pro for this?
Search Google Maps for certified arborists or tree services near you, read their reviews and ask for proof of insurance. Get two or three written quotes. Our guide on how to hire a tree service lists the questions to ask.
Related tree problems
- Drought Stress (Other damage)
- Herbicide damage (Other damage)
- Cankers (Disease)
- Frost cracks (Other damage)
- Road salt damage (Other damage)
- Sunscald (Other damage)