Sever Mulch Volcano Damage

Bought a house that has tree rings of retainer block filled with black deco stone 16" high. House was built in 1999 and I'm sure trees and tree rings followed shortly thereafter. At least one of the five trees has a girdling root at the very top of the volcano.

I was planning to remove everything, do root flare excavation and put in proper mulch ring. However, now I'm concerned that the girdling roots and other roots large and small will be downright ugly to look at, even after removing as much as possible.

Any suggestions?

TIA
Joe

 

Do it. If there are already girdling roots, that will likely kill the trees (or make them ugly). Prune back the girdling roots so they won't be so ugly.

 

Pics of 2 trees before I start the excavation.

 

Oh yeah....landscape fabric too.

I'd excavate.

 

I've seen worse. Looks doable but root pruning can be spaced over a couple/few seasons if need be.

 

Worse than this?

 

How can I excavate withou an air knife?

 

A spray nozzle on the hose. It will be even messier than air excavation....but can be done. Make sure the water has some place to flow away.

 

Which roots to remove? Should I remove those <2" ? Is there a rule of thumb? The trunk is about 9" diameter. The big root at top of pic is about 15" above grade.

 

Worse yes, $6 K japanese maple from containers were 100% girdled...

Start near the trunk and remember you can do more next year or later if need be.
PBZ can be good in small doses when many roots are removed. I also like to clean up the flare area afterwards with a phosphite at 1:1

 

Made some progress using the tool shown below. But if you ask me this situation is looking worse.

 

Get some cheap chisels...and a comfortable pad to sit/kneel on. A sawzall is also helpful. And a drywall saw (or a Corona root saw...which looks a LOT like a drywall saw).

 

I'l get more of those hair like tiny roots out of the way, then post more pics. I'm afraid to just start cutting/chiseling big roots.

That big girdling root is high on the trunk, about 15". Does that raise any concerns?

 

Yes...cut it off.

 

My first time at this so please bear with me.
Cut through the root at the first chisel, continue cutting and removing to the three chisel.
Correct?

 

I like the little Silky F 180 for this too. Replacement blades are cheap too.

 

How rigid is the blade on that F180?

 

How about a multitool? They are great for plunge cuts.

 

Like an Oscillating saw? Yeah...that would probably work. I don't have a cordless one, but might bring an extension cord and try it some time.