Trees are a valuable asset to any property, providing beauty, shade, and environmental benefits. At Cornerstone Partners, we’re committed to preserving the health and vitality of your trees. Unfortunately, unseen threats often compromise tree health and even lead to their decline. Two of the most common issues we encounter are girdling and forgotten support materials. Let’s take a closer look at these problems and how proactive care can make all the difference.
The Silent Killer: Girdling Roots
Girdling roots are roots that circle around the base of a tree, eventually constricting the trunk and interfering with the flow of water and nutrients. This can weaken the tree, making it more susceptible to pests, diseases, and stress.
- Causes: Girdling roots often develop due to improper planting techniques, such as planting trees too deeply or failing to correct circling roots in container-grown trees.
- Cornerstone Partners’ Approach: Our landscape technicians are trained to identify and correct potential girdling roots at the time of planting. For existing trees, we can assess the situation and employ corrective root pruning techniques to alleviate the problem.
Forgotten Dangers: Guy Wires and Support Systems
Newly planted trees often require support to help them establish their root systems. Guy wires or straps are commonly used for this purpose. However, these supports can become a serious problem if they are left in place for too long.
- The Problem: As the tree grows, guy wires or straps can girdle the trunk, causing damage similar to girdling roots. In some cases, the support material can even become embedded in the trunk, creating a long-term structural weakness.
- Cornerstone Partners’ Solution: We carefully monitor any support systems we install and remove them at the appropriate time. Our team also checks for and addresses any forgotten supports on existing trees, preventing potential damage.
Beyond the Usual Suspects: Other Girdling Culprits
Obvious culprits don’t always cause girdling. We’ve seen a variety of unexpected items constricting trees:
- Bird feeder hooks
- Swings attached with rope, wire, or chain
- Nylon twine from root balls
- Zip lines
- Christmas lights
- Ribbon
- Tree identification tags
Even seemingly harmless materials can cause significant damage over time, which is why regular tree inspections are so important.
Proactive Tree Care: A Cornerstone Partners Specialty
At Cornerstone Partners, we believe in proactive tree care. Our arboriculture services include:
- Regular inspections: Identifying potential problems like girdling roots or forgotten supports.
- Pruning and trimming: Removing dead or damaged branches and promoting healthy growth.
- Fertilization: Providing essential nutrients to keep trees healthy.
- Pest and disease management: Protecting trees from harmful infestations and diseases.
Protecting your trees requires vigilance and a proactive approach. By being aware of the dangers of girdling roots, forgotten guy wires, and other potential hazards, you can take steps to safeguard your valuable landscape. Cornerstone Partners is here to help. Our team of experts can provide the ongoing care and attention your trees need to thrive for years to come.
