This tree is a London Plane according to comments. Comments also say "Unfortunately, it looks like it has stem girdling roots." Comments commented back "You can’t see the bottom 3-4 feet of this tree in the photo. And it’s fine. It does have a bit of maybe anthracnose or something."
Then I said to myself, "What the hell are stem girdling roots?" The highlighted words will take you to Google Images where you can see what I saw. And lots of sites talking about them.
I went out and looked at my trees and some of them are girdled.
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13 comments:
When I see girdling roots it is often on trees that are surrounded by concrete or tarmac, which doesn't seem to give the roots room to grow more naturally (and healthily).
Sue - It sounds like you knew about girdling already.
What EC said and also stem girdling happens when trees are bought in pots and are already potbound having been left in them too long. If they are then planted without opening the root system or at least trimming off the most circular, they will simply keep growing in the same way.
I was going to say just what River said. But you didn't look into what "anthracnose" is ... perhaps either an anthrax infection of the schnozz or coal blocking the nasal passages?
River - So everyone knows about girdling except me. I may have to turn in my know-it-all badge.
Bill - I like your updated definition of anthracnose.
Thanks for all the explanations of what stem girdling roots are, fellow commenters!
Oh my!
Deb - So were you as clueless as me?
Cloudia - Indeed!
I learned about girdling the last time we planted a tree at our old house. Because of that I was able to spread out the roots and avoid the issue.
I didn't know what they were called, but I've seen trees with stem girdling roots before. I also didn't know it was a sign that a tree was in distress. I just thought it was a feature of that particular species of tree.
Kathy - Now that I know the trees I plant over my next 76 years will have a better chance of survival.
Kirk - I was right there with you. We're both smarter now.
I learned something new!
John - Something that's actually important too! You have a few more years than me to put your new knowledge into practice.
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