Those sure look like girdling roots to me. Hopefully someone w/more smarts will chime in.
After chiding others about root flare, etc, I REALLY looked at some of my trees & found a couple w/girdling roots, little flare.
Having no $$ for an arborist, I cut the girdling ones myself-veeeery carefully. Also carefully scraped away the dirt to expose the flare. You can do it!!
We've had enuf rain this summer so the ground shouldn't be 'cement'. Used your gloved hand, I had to use a small hand held rake but you have to be soooo carefull w/that so as not to hurt the bark.
Good luck-
Patty