Watts Tree Experts

Facebook | Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Girdling Roots Are Quietly Strangling Newly Planted Landscape Trees Underground

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A young tree planted with its roots still wrapped in the shape of the nursery pot can end up strangling itself years later without anyone noticing.

Girdling roots grow in a circle instead of spreading outward, and as the tree and roots both get thicker, that circling root eventually presses against the trunk and cuts off its own flow of water and nutrients.

It's a slow problem, often invisible above ground until a tree that looked fine starts declining for no obvious reason.

Do you know when the trees in your yard were originally planted?

#FrederickCountyTreeService #TreeCare


Image / Media Suggestion

A real photo of an exposed girdling root at the base of a trunk, or a crew excavating around a root flare to check for the problem. Authentic photos help homeowners recognize the issue.

Google Drive image folder.

Canva text suggestion: "Check the Root Flare" or "A Slow Problem Hiding Underground"


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