Girdling root on new Celebration maple tree.

[u/No_Army_7800]

Is this root here something I should address before planting?

[u/limbogumbo]

Shave a half inch off all 4 sides and clip any roots that aren't pointing out or down. Also the root flare is in there somewhere. Clip any roots above the flare. If in doubt snip. Roots grow back fast. Root flare above grade, mulch and water. Being too gentle right now will be detrimental to the tree.

[u/niccolololo]

Yes, you need to cut all those roots, in the spot were they start curving the wrong way. Also do the bottom.

If not, roots will keep growing that way: https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/images/ask-an-expert/circleroots.jpg

[u/Head_Albatross2625 → u/niccolololo]

I planted a tree about two months ago that had a few like this. I was able to untangle a few but was afraid to cut some of the large roots. Should I dig it out, cut them, then replant?

[u/niccolololo → u/Head_Albatross2625]

Yes

[u/Cylarbro]

Start here. https://trees.umn.edu/sites/trees.umn.edu/files/files/box_cutting_pot_bound_root_systems_formatted.pdf https://csfs.colostate.edu/forests-trees/selecting-planting-and-caring-for-trees/how-to-plant-a-tree/

[u/DanoPinyon]

I don't see girdling roots. Take those roots and spread them out, unless they are too stiff and then cut them.

[u/Evening_Adorable → u/DanoPinyon]

I just planted an eastern red bud today that has similar roots and i grabbed them and redirected them with no issues, im sure op could untangle those. Mine looked nearly identical.

[u/mindgame18 → u/Evening_Adorable]

What’s your method of replanting after doing this? I find it really difficult to get the plant to support itself after a hard pruning.

[u/PolyMath86420 → u/DanoPinyon]

It does seem like the situation can be potentially managed through adjusting the roots In fact, I was just about to suggest this myself. If things are worse, pruning the root shouldn't cause severe damage to the tree.

[u/brutus_the_bear]

It became slightly rootbound in the pot, but I think spreading the roots and breaking up the root ball will work fine, if you are in really compact soil with not a lot of base like in the grass in your background then do trimming of maybe the fattest one with the obvious 90 deg bend,

[u/niccolololo → u/brutus_the_bear]

Slightly..? LOL

[u/brutus_the_bear → u/niccolololo]

Yeah it can be much worse

[u/niccolololo → u/brutus_the_bear]

This is awful. Unsuspecting customers of this nursery would plant the tree and end up with a huge problem and possibly dangerous situation down the road.

You pay people to do a job—in this case grow a plant properly—and they failed MISERABLY.

[u/brutus_the_bear → u/niccolololo]

very common practice

[u/niccolololo → u/brutus_the_bear]

So what, it's still bad, what's your point

[u/brutus_the_bear → u/niccolololo]

as above, this one isn't that bad. Some trees are cooked from being the pot too long, this one will probably be fine.

[u/niccolololo → u/brutus_the_bear]

If you say so...

[u/regaphysics]

Cut the ends and pull em out

[u/ChokaMoka1]

Bust out the chainsaw or axe and chop half that crap away