Many sources echo Dr. Alex Shigo’s concern: “On older trees... it is best to leave the girdling
roots alone. More harm than good can be done in attempts to remove large girdling roots” (Shigo 1986b).
While strictly speaking this is true, it does not seem to consider the widespread problem
that SGR’s have become, or the technical expertise of today’s arborist. Even some very large
and embedded SGR’s can be removed without damaging the trunk. Pruning roots relieves compression stress, but may cause stress from root loss. The arborist must decide whether eliminating stress by removing the defect outweighs the risk from root removal. Pruning large branches is a routine activity that most trees survive, so pruning large roots may also be tolerated
http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-...LBG-III-Managing-Stem-Girdling-Roots1.doc.pdf
This theory may seem intuitively korrekt, but ime it is quite mythic. closest lit ref here;I'm sure we both understand that prolonged exposure to moisture in a dark warm environment will promote decay fungi.
I don't disagree with the "replace now" thought. HOWEVER, if they want to take a shot at keeping it, I would cut the bad root. We know the fate of the tree if it is left there. Why not cut it and hope for the best? Whether it is "worth" the expense to try is up to the owner. I would invest in new if it were mine - but others would want to try keeping it.......This tree will not be a specimen, chances of it slowly declining to Verticillium is good. Hence the recommendation to start over with good stock. In the past I have put a lot of time & resources in trying to save weak sickly trees. Speaking from experience it is best if willing to replace.
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