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| I have a root-over-rock elm that I am starting to uncover. The first thing that I have found is 2 pencil sized roots (the trunk of the tree is only about cigar-sized) that exit the trunk about an inch above the rock. They enter the soil and seem to run along the rock, but there is a one inch air gap between the base of these roots and the rock. The tree has several other roots that are in good position, and some are the same thickness as these 2 "aerial" ones.
My question is, can I sever these roots from the trunk and let them decompose? Or do I have to wait until I pot up this tree? My other concern is that the longer I wait, the bigger these roots will become. Will severing these roots cause rot, or will the tree use them as compost? Thanks for any help. Terry |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Severing them will cause the severed roots to rot, but rot in viable tissues would have to be caused by something other than being in close proximity to the rotting severed roots. If you have an organic component in your soil, and certainly most do, it is constantly breaking down from decay, so the decaying of the severed roots is nothing new. If, however, the mass of the severed roots is large enough that the decaying tissue clogs soil pores as it breaks down into smaller pieces, the anaerobic conditions it would/could create could possibly create a cultural setting in which harmful fungi/bacteria could develop. Al |
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- Posted by head_cutter Vietnam (My Page) on Sun, Jul 12, 09 at 18:15
| You could remove it but the other option, unless it's an ugly addition, is that the more large roots you have on the rock the more stable the tree will be. If you decide to keep it I'd suggest padding the roots with something like innertube rubber and use a few large cable ties to slowly ease it in until it's touching the rock. Just snugg it up at first then slowly add more pressure until it's pulled in. Bob |
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