how huge was the transplant????

hard to tell from your pic ...

i wonder if its coincidental.. that there are two leaders.. just above what you note ...

can you give us another pic or two??? .. simply reply to this post.. one pic per ...

what does the seller have to say about it?????

ken

It appears to have been the commonly-used rubber tubing from an earlier stake tie, or something to keep the tree from blowing over during winds at the nursery. The center point almost looks as if it was nailed to the tree; if so, I would just pull it out. Any tubing that has been covered over by the trunk could be trimmed at the surface. The main girdling problem is caused when the tubing encircles the trunk or branch. A short section that becomes a part of the tree, while certainly not ideal, is not going to be a health issue.

it was said.. it UNDER the bark ...

if you destroy the bark.. in a circle around a branch.. or leader... that part will die ... you will destroy is internal circulatory system at that point ...

ken

Probably someone tied the tree to a stake.

If the tree successfully surrounded it, it won't do any harm. The inside of the tree much below the bark is mostly inert.

The danger in encircling/girdling trees is that they will cut through the bark in a circle.

If any part of it is wrapped around the OUTSIDE of the bark, cut it. Otherwise ignore it.