2024.05.26 - How to hopefully save your trees if they have girdling and the tree is being chocked

In this video Ben tries to save his maple trees which is being chocked to death. Whether or not it will help is another story.
Tree girdling, also known as ring-barking, is a process that involves removing a strip of bark (including the phloem layer) from around the entire circumference of a tree trunk or branch. This disrupts the flow of nutrients and water between the roots and the leaves. Here are some key points about tree girdling:
1. **Purpose**:
- **Unintentional**: It can occur accidentally due to animal damage, mechanical injury from equipment, or environmental factors.
- **Intentional**: Sometimes used in forestry and agriculture to kill unwanted trees, manage forests, or stimulate fruit production in certain trees by stressing them.
2. **Effects**:
- **Immediate Impact**: Girdling immediately cuts off the downward flow of carbohydrates from the leaves to the roots.
- **Long-Term Impact**: Over time, the tree will weaken and eventually die because the roots are starved of essential nutrients.
3. **Technique**:
- A strip of bark, typically several inches wide, is removed around the entire circumference of the tree.
- Ensuring the cut penetrates through the cambium layer is crucial for the girdling to be effective.
4. **Consequences**:
- Without intervention, a girdled tree will die since the roots can no longer receive the food produced by the leaves, leading to a depletion of energy reserves.
- It can cause the tree to become structurally unstable as it weakens, increasing the risk of falling.
Tree girdling is a significant technique used in various forestry and agricultural practices but must be used carefully due to its lethal effects on trees.

[@richardm654]

Never mulch or raise the soil above the root flare on any tree.

[@benplikerdsminute]

Absolutely right! Keeping the root flare exposed is vital for the health of the tree. Mulching too high or raising the soil level can suffocate the roots and lead to various problems. Thanks for emphasizing such an important tip. Your insights are invaluable to fellow gardeners. Don’t forget to subscribe for more tree care wisdom! 🌳🌟

[@andecap1325]

Roots grew because ground is raised around the base...get rid of the bricks and flatten the ground...

[@benplikerdsminute]

Great point! Removing obstructions like bricks and leveling the ground can indeed help alleviate stress caused by girdling roots. It's important to give the roots room to grow properly. Thanks for highlighting this tip-it's crucial for anyone dealing with similar issues. Keep watching and subscribe for more tree care advice and updates! 🌳👍

[@andecap1325]

@@benplikerdsminute Thanks, preventive measures are, when you plant a tree make sure the ground is flat and don't plant too deep. Don't pile woodchips around.