Vol. 43

Title:
Using Copper Compounds to Modify Roots on Container-grown Trees

Author:
Bonnie Lee Appleton

pp: 376-379

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION

Girdling roots—roots which grow around tree stems and other roots—may shorten a tree's life span if they constrict the vascular system and restrict water and nutrient movement or if they fail to anchor the tree adequately (Gouin, 1984, Holmes, 1984; Whitcomb, 1984) Girdling roots generally start in one of three ways:

1. Plants may be put in planting holes with glazed clay walls that restrict structural development and cause roots to circle;
2. new lateral roots may develop behind the ends of primary roots that are cut during field-grown nursery stock harvesting (Watson et al , 1990);
3. or roots may circle on the outside of the medium root ball for container-grown trees.

A common planting recommendation for circling roots resulting from container production, has been mechanical disruption, slicing or "butterflying," of the root ball (Flemer, 1982; Gouin, 1984). The value of these practices, however, is questionable, according to limited and contradictory research conducted

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