Stem girdling roots grow against soil covered tree trunks, compressing the vascular system, and ultimately reducing the tree’s life span. As the trunk expands, the roots close in on the trunk, forming a tourniquet which slowly strangles the tree to death. When these trees fail, they break off at the base like a ball and socket joint, leaving the root collar in the ground. A root flare even with the soil level is less likely to develop this problem.

A few ways root collar problems get started:

• Mulch and soil piled high on the root flare and trunk tissue.
• Tree planted with soil on top of the root flare.
• Trees planted too deep, with the root collar below the soil surface level.
  
  

How do we fix these problems?

• Plant properly, with the root collar at or above the soil surface level.
• Mulch with the intention of keeping the root collar exposed.
• Floss — remove excess soil and mulch from the root collar.
  
  

Keep flossing!