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Some people probably get tired of me talking about exposing tree flares as much as I do. There’s a reason why I do – it is simply the most important thing to do for your trees. Of the many questions I get about insects issues, diseases, damage by sap suckers, overabundance of galls and other tree concerns, the most common cause of them all is trees being too deep in the ground. The best and almost always effective solution is the removal of soil, mulch and other things from the flare.
As most know, I recommend the Sick Tree Treatment often and the first and most important step of the Sick Tree Treatment procedure is removing the soil and mulch from the bases of the trees. Almost all trees and other woody plants have been planted too deeply. They are usually too deep in the containers when purchased from the nurseries, get planted too low and then have too much mulch added on top. The result is severely buried flares. The flares are part of the trunks (not the root systems) and should be exposed to air. The root flares (or trunk flares) of the trees should be dramatically exposed, not just barely exposed.
Why is having exposed tree flares so important? The flare at the base of a tree is a transition zone but it is more bark than root tissue. When buried it stays moist, doesn’t breathe properly and the health of the tree suffers. When the soil is removed from the flare, you can almost hear a sigh of relief from the tree and it starts growing better almost immediately. Exposing the flare often exposes anther tree problem – circling and girdling roots. Removing these damaging roots is critical to the health of the tree. They squeeze and cut into trunks and flares causing short and long-term injury. They should be removed just like bad limbs.
Although best done by arborists using the Air Spade or Air Knife, if you are very careful, this exposure can be done with hand tools. I use the hori hori knife to loosen the soil and a battery-powered blower to blow the soil and mulch away from the flare. If you need professional help, make sure to hire a tree care company that understands the importance of exposed flares, has an air spade and uses organic techniques. If the company you are using or considering using is not positive about these points, keep shopping around.
Dallas Morning News - September 28, 2017
Uncovering Root Flares
Some people probably get tired of me talking about exposing tree flares as much as I do. There’s a reason why I do – it is simply the most important thing to do for your trees. Of the many questions I get about insects issues, diseases, damage by sap suckers, overabundance of galls and other tree concerns, the most common cause of them all is trees being too deep in the ground. The best and almost always effective solution is the removal of soil, mulch and other things from the flare.
As most know, I recommend the Sick Tree Treatment often and the first and most important step of the Sick Tree Treatment procedure is removing the soil and mulch from the bases of the trees. Almost all trees and other woody plants have been planted too deeply. They are usually too deep in the containers when purchased from the nurseries, get planted too low and then have too much mulch added on top. The result is severely buried flares. The flares are part of the trunks (not the root systems) and should be exposed to air. The root flares (or trunk flares) of the trees should be dramatically exposed, not just barely exposed.
Why is having exposed tree flares so important? The flare at the base of a tree is a transition zone but it is more bark than root tissue. When buried it stays moist, doesn’t breathe properly and the health of the tree suffers. When the soil is removed from the flare, you can almost hear a sigh of relief from the tree and it starts growing better almost immediately. Exposing the flare often exposes anther tree problem – circling and girdling roots. Removing these damaging roots is critical to the health of the tree. They squeeze and cut into trunks and flares causing short and long-term injury. They should be removed just like bad limbs.
Although best done by arborists using the Air Spade or Air Knife, if you are very careful, this exposure can be done with hand tools. I use the hori hori knife to loosen the soil and a battery-powered blower to blow the soil and mulch away from the flare. If you need professional help, make sure to hire a tree care company that understands the importance of exposed flares, has an air spade and uses organic techniques. If the company you are using or considering using is not positive about these points, keep shopping around.
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