Root Flare Questions

[davidmk1]

Hello,

I have been reading here about root flare and decided my trees needed more exposed. I have a big ash (I think Texas since it is big and alive) that did not do as well this summer as in the past. I can't get my arms around the trunk, and I am ~6', for a size referrence.

It had decent flare of a few roots, but not 360. I have used a hand trowel, small sticks, and my fingers. I would have liked to hire someone to air spade it, but this way is cheaper. Here are my questions:

1: Let's say there is root flare at 3 oclock and 7 oclock, but inbetween there is no flare. I dug in between this space and got pretty deep, where if I wanted to I could go under the root flares on either side. I did not find any flare at that space. Is this normal? Should I keep going?

2: How far from the tree should I follow a root before being comfortable that it is heading out into the yard and not girdling?

3: I found I root flare slightly below the surface. I followed it out and down about 6" and then it seems to go deeper, not into the yard. It is between 2 healthy flares. Should I go down deeper?

4: I have a mesquite out front that is leaning the way they do. I can see flare oposite the leaning trunk, but not under the leaning trunk. Can the roots be following the angle of the trunk and actually be not directly under the tree but mostly oposite the direction of the leaning trunk?

I hope these questions make sense. I do not have a camera.
Thanks.

David

[Tony M]

David-
Take a look at the pictures at the bottom of the home page of this site, DD.com. There are also more pictures if you do a search. Those pictures will answer some of your questions.
Tony M

[davidmk1]

Thank you for the reply. I have looked at all the pictures, watched the videos a couple times, searched the web for more information. Any thoughts for my specific questions? Even about the leaning mesquite?

David

[Tony M]

Here's what I think, I hope others chime in:

#1- This situation is normal and OK.
#2- Tough question, if the root is not touching the tree there is no immediate effect. But as the tree grows bigger it may grow into the circling root and start to compress. Look at the pictures again and see how far, on average, they went from the trunk. That should be your clue.
#3- NO
#4- I would try to expose the side the tree is leaning into and see what's actually happening.
Tony M

[davidmk1]

Thanks for the reply. It does help. It is a little scary doing this for the first time. Today I spread my CM, green and lava sand, molasses. I bought a core aerator today, but have not used it yet. Next the Garret Juice. How often can I do the sick tree treatment? Or if done more frequently than say once a month there will be no additional benefit? Thanks.

David

[Tony M]

Before you jump right into solutions or treatments, can you tell us what you are trying to accomplish or overcome? All of the products you mention are beneficial but your time and money may be better spent if we understand where you are going.
Tony M

[davidmk1]

This summer around July or August I noticed a lot of leaves were brown. They did not fall from the tree. They actually seem to be the last to fall.
I am hoping they are not dead, but I think they may be (the branches that is).

I have lived here for 4 years, and this is the first time this has happened. It was exceptionally dry here in Austin. I do not water my yard, except for the garden beds. Maybe I should.

I figured this tree is at least 40-50 years old and it must have gone through summers like this last one before. I guess it is possible that it was watered all those other years, but this used to be a rental house so I doubt renters would water in the backyard.

Thanks,
David

[Tony M]

Just as you said that tree must have gone thru summers like this past one, the tree may have also reacted like it did this year in years gone by.
Scratch the bark with your fingernail of the branches you suspect are dead. Did you expose any light green inner bark? If so, all is OK.
Taking a picture now with all the leaves gone would not be beneficial to anyone. Do the SST now and again in the spring after bud break.
Ask for a camera for x-mass so you will be ready in case the tree struggles next spring. Even if you get a cheap disposable, you can send in a printed picture to Howard.
Tony M

[davidmk1]

Tony,

I'll do that, thanks. We'll see about the camera.

David