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Common Cultural Problems

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Caption: Girdling on London plane tree caused by staking wire

Photo by: R. Maleike

Common Cultural : Plant girdling and circling roots

(revision date: 4/30/2013)

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Biology

Girdling interrupts the flow of manufactured food, hormones, and other metabolites from the leaves to the roots. The roots may eventually starve, and then the top branches decline. Eventually, the entire tree may die. Trunk girdling may be caused by staking wires, strings, gnawing of vertebrates, and other agents. Roots can become girdled if a plant is grown in a pot for too long, thereby forcing roots to grow in a circular pattern around the root ball. As the trunk grows and circling roots increase in diameter, they may choke the plant at the crown. Polypropylene "burlap" wraps can also lead to root girdling, as the roots grow close together within the wrap and eventually constrict each other's growth and nutrient flow.

Management Options

Non-Chemical Management

Avoid staking trees. When necessary, attach trees to stakes with loose bands and remove within the first year.
Remove burlap and string or wire prior to planting.

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

None recommended

Images

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Caption: Girdling on London plane tree caused by staking wire Photo by: R. Maleike
Caption: Complete dieback caused by girdling at the crown Photo by: R.S. Byther
Caption: Circling roots from plant growing too long in pot Photo by: B.M. Johnson
Caption: Circling and girdling roots Photo by: B.M. Johnson
Caption: Root girdling caused by polypropylene "burlap" wrap Photo by: B.M. Johnson

WSU Extension

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