I'm new to the forum, but I just received my 'dirt doctor' newsletter about Root Flares and realized that this was my 4 year old Chinquapin's problem. I've spent all day carefully excavating dirt, only to find a total confused root system. When the tree was purchased, we were told to cut away the large tub and plant the tree level with the dirt in the tub, which we did. I now find the when the tree was little and transplanted into a container, it appears that the roots were wound around the base of the tree, then covered with dirt. I've removed the smaller roots but the large remaining roots have grown around/into the base of the tree. Finding the actual root flare is close to impossible. Any suggestions as to what I should do now. I think my tree wins the Poster Child award for problems.