To prune or not to prune

[BayouTree]

There is a red maple planted about 5 years ago in the parking lot of our building and it has a large girdling root covering about half the circumference of the trunk. The tree is about 5.5" DBH. The crown looks pretty healthy for now. Is it alright to prune a root of this size or should I just leave it be? Does anyone have experience cutting large girdling roots or is there a rule of thumb?

Thanks

 

[jrparbor04]

only a matter of time for that sgr to kill the tree,,,cut it out asap

 

[treeseer]

that is a whooper. Excavate on both ends until you see which end is proximal (coming off the stem) and which is distal. Then cut wedges in the proximal side of the girdle and pull it off bit by bit. Save the other half til next year or the year after.

Longer version page 8 here http://www.tcia.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_July_07.pdf

:chainsawguy:

 

[pbtree]

that is a whooper. Excavate on both ends until you see which end is proximal (coming off the stem) and which is distal. Then cut wedges in the proximal side of the girdle and pull it off bit by bit. Save the other half til next year or the year after.

Longer version page 8 here http://www.tcia.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_July_07.pdf

:chainsawguy:

What he said - get that thing outta there...

 

[BayouTree]

Thanks for the input. Nice article seer, it was helpful.