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Tree Flares
https://www.dirtdoctor.com/efl/dirtDoctor/tree-flares-t6317.html
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Author:  The Ent [ Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Tree Flares

Since the question comes up quite often, and since we need visuals, here are two examples as they appeared on the front page of the Dirt Doctor site


Proper Root Flare shown here:

Image



Absent root flare:

Image

Author:  Mikey [ Sun Dec 04, 2005 11:50 pm ]
Post subject: 

Unfortunately, the second picture looks like almost all of the trees I see planted in Arlington along the roadways!!!! What's worse is they pack 3 or 4 inches of some kind of red mulch right on the trunk this time of year. Some are very large live oaks, which look very healthy, just no root flare.

Author:  MotJuste [ Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:08 pm ]
Post subject: 

Could you please post sample pictures of brand new (3-4 inch caliper) trees, both planted correctly and too deep? The flare's pretty obvious on a mature tree like the one in the first picture, but what does it look like on the kind of trees we're actually going to be planting?

Author:  Mikey [ Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:08 pm ]
Post subject: 

If you have a 3 to 4 inch caliper tree, there is a root flare in there somewhere!!!! You have obviously spent a decent amount of money for this size of a tree. I planted a shumard red oak and a sweetgum last August that are just at 1 inch caliper or smaller. Look for where the trunk starts to thicken at the bottom. I would think this would be very noticable on trees of this caliper. Remember, a lot of trees nowadays are planted too deeply!!! You might have to remove some soil from the top of the trunk. Planting a little higher in the ground is always better than planting too low in the ground. I see this all of the time. Good luck!!!

Author:  Nadine [ Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:00 pm ]
Post subject: 

http://rootflare.com/whywerehere.html
The above link has photos of trees the way they should and should not be planted, as well as what girdling roots look like. :wink:

Author:  northwesterner [ Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tree Flares

An error message comes up with that link rootflare link. The domain ownership apparently expired.

Author:  TexDirt [ Sun Feb 03, 2013 2:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tree Flares

I just came in from digging out and exposing the root flare on my six year old orange tree and am now left with a large hole around the tree, what do i do now--cover with mulch, leave bare or what?

Wayne

Author:  northwesterner [ Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tree Flares

You just cleared it away, so don't fill it up again! I have a couple of those holes around trees in my yard as well, and I shaped them like saucers that go out three or four feet from the tree on all sides. You might want to spread a little mulch just to cover the bare soil, but don't fill it. You'll get used to looking at the depression soon enough. The tree should show marked improvement.

Author:  Adokin [ Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tree Flares

I'm actually needing some advice on my tree that was planted about two months ago and I think that covered up tree flare is at the root of my problems. This was a new construction, landscaping went in two months ago. Two weeks ago I notice that all the leaves on my tree were brown and some had fallen to the ground. Over the course of the next week all but three leaves are gone. I'm thinking this tree was planted too deep and then covered with too much sod. All of the other trees on my street have been planted the same way with a ton of sod around them. Is this what my problem is or is there something else I should do? Oh and there is a soaker valve at the base of the tree, part of the irrigation system.

Image

Author:  northwesterner [ Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tree Flares

It is too deep, and probably has root issues, taken straight from the pot and dropped in the hole in the ground. This means it can't absorb water properly and can end up with girdling roots.

You can probably remedy this. If you grasp the bole and wiggle the tree, does the whole thing wobble in the hole? Then you can lift it out and replant it using the right techniques. Scroll down this list of previous newsletters and find several to do with tree planting.

Author:  jp4LSU [ Mon Jul 15, 2013 3:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tree Flares

So I have some mature pecans. I have manually exposed the flares a bit. I could go a bit more I believe, but as i exposed the flare, there is no bark on the newly exposed flare. I'm a little worried about this being a location for bugs or disease to come in, so I haven't done the rest of them.

Author:  mb_taylor [ Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tree Flares

I exposed the root flares on 4 young trees. My ranch hand thinks I've done too much and they will get too dry and kill the tree. What do you think?

Attachments:
exposed root flares 3.jpg
exposed root flares 3.jpg [ 166.4 KiB | Viewed 263298 times ]
exposed root flares 2.jpg
exposed root flares 2.jpg [ 176.15 KiB | Viewed 263296 times ]
exposed root flares 1.jpg
exposed root flares 1.jpg [ 173.96 KiB | Viewed 263291 times ]

Author:  northwesterner [ Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tree Flares

I think is just what they needed, but you can improve that soil around the trees with the sick tree treatment and adding mulch around the base of the trees (just don't bury the flares again, work the mulch up to them).

Author:  cjs [ Thu May 28, 2015 8:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tree Flares

I have a large old post oak with root flares buried deep. I uncovered them and now have a hole around the tree about 2 feet deep or more. Since we have clay soil, every time it rains the hole fills up, leaving the tree standing in lots of water. I have been pumping out the water, but the soil is left very wet and mucky, which cannot be good for this tree. I would like to remedy this situation perhaps by amending the soil somehow. It is on flat ground so I don't think a drain would work. Any ideas are welcome!

Author:  Braunthumb [ Fri May 29, 2015 5:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tree Flares

cjs wrote:
I have a large old post oak with root flares buried deep. I uncovered them and now have a hole around the tree about 2 feet deep or more. Since we have clay soil, every time it rains the hole fills up, leaving the tree standing in lots of water. I have been pumping out the water, but the soil is left very wet and mucky, which cannot be good for this tree. I would like to remedy this situation perhaps by amending the soil somehow. It is on flat ground so I don't think a drain would work. Any ideas are welcome!


How far would you need to dig a trench to find an area with a lower elevation?

Remove about six more inches of clay without dinging up the roots and replace with expanded shale or gravel or a mix of materials like that?

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