When girdling roots are present during planting, what is the recommended management?

• A. Fill the soil around girdling roots and plant deeply.
• B. Stake the tree heavily to hold it.
• C. Plant higher so girdling roots are buried deeper.
• D. Remove or manage girdling roots and consult an arborist if structural concerns persist.

Answer: (D)

Girdling roots choke the trunk and disrupt the flow of water and nutrients, weakening the tree over time. When girdling roots are found at planting, the recommended management is to remove or carefully manage those roots and not bury them deeper or rely on staking to solve the problem. Exposing and removing the circling roots helps the root system spread properly around the trunk, improving health and future stability. If there are signs of poor stability or structural concerns after addressing the girdling, consult an arborist to assess and plan options such as professional root pruning, cabling, or bracing as needed. Burying girdling roots or planting higher doesn’t fix the root-constriction issue, and staking doesn’t correct the underlying problem either.