1. Strengthening our Community Tree Canopy Through Education Module #7: Root Pruning Laura Sanagorski, Environmental Horticulture Extension Faculty

2. Strengthening Our Community Tree Canopy 2012 Urban Forestry Series This series is a part of a project titled Strengthening Our Community Tree Canopy Through Education. This project is made possible by a grant through the 2011 National Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Florida Forest Service.

3. Root Pruning

4. Root Pruning – the Need Correct defects at planting Reduce size of rootball for transplant Address conflict with hardscape

5. Root Pruning – Defects discovered at planting Circling roots Matted roots deflected downward Excess soil on top of rootball Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski Circling / Girdling – roots that grow around the trunk of a tree rather than laterally away from it that constrict the other roots or the trunk, restricting growth.

6. Circling / Girdling root systems often cause failure Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski

7. Circling / Girdling root systems often cause failure Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski

8. Circling / Girdling root systems often cause failure Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski

9. Circling / Girdling root systems often cause failure – can this be avoided? Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski

10. Photos: UF Laura Sanagorski Planting space, planting depth, and/or improper mulch can cause circling / girdling root systems

11. Root Pruning – Equipment Sharp Shovel Pruning Shears Air Spade / Air Excavator Trench cutter

12. air excavator () Luana Vargas, International Society of Arboriculture, Bugwood.org An arborist using a tree spade to root prune

13. Root pruning at planting - Slice & remove outer ½ - 1 of rootball – preferable to radial slicing Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski

14. CIRCLING ROOT REGENERATION Defective roots can often be cut as remedy

15. Root pruning – How Much? No more than 25% - 30% Severance of major support roots may compromise integrity As trees age, they cant withstand as much Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski

16. Root pruning - staking A must if major roots or large percentage are cut Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski

17. Strengthening our Community Tree Canopy Through Education Module #7: Root Pruning Laura Sanagorski, Environmental Horticulture Extension Faculty