By far the best route is to hire an arborist that uses the air spade to expose root flares. The Air Spade It is a fancy sandblasting type tool that blows air (no sand) at a high velocity and removes the soil without damaging even the smallest roots.
Here's the State champion pecan tree in Weatherford having
its root flare exposed with an air-spade. Moore Tree Care in
Dallas donated the work. The patient is doing well but we still
have our fingers crossed.
Photos of Champion Pecan Tree and Air Spade Work. Click Here
Tyson Woods
Rootflare Services
6333 Denton Drive, Suite 100
Dallas, TX 75235
(214) 350-6363
(214) 956-8341
Once exposed, the small roots trying to grow up to get air should be removed and the depression caused by the trunk/root flare exposure should be left open. As the flare expands from the growth of a more vigorous tree, the open dish will fill in. All I would put in the depression is a thin layer of shredded cedar mulch.
Excellent root flare on a lacebark elm.
JoEllen's root flare exposure adventure.
I have been listening to your Sat show and just became a member of the ground crew. I learned from your show that the thinning canopy of one of my oak trees may be because the tree was too deep. The trees were on the side of the driveway and the house was built in 1972. I called Moore Tree service and here are some pictures of the air spade and the now very evident problem. I hope to see some positive results if it isn't too late. I'll keep you posted. JoEllen
Air Spade: Soil, or even heavy mulch on trunks, keeps the bark constantly moist which can rot or girdle trees. Ideally, excess soil and circling and girdling roots should be removed before planting. Removing soil from the root flares of existing trees should be done professionally with a tool called the Air Spade. Homeowners can do the work by hand with a stiff broom or brush. Gentle water and a shop-vac can be used if done very carefully. Vines and ground covers should also be kept off tree trunks. They should actually be pruned back away from the flares, at least on an annual basis.
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