Ask the Experts
Could a Buried Root Flare Be Hurting Your Tree?
If you’re wondering, “why is my tree struggling?“, then a buried root flare may be the issue. A tree’s root flare, the point where the trunk widens and spreads into the roots, tells arborists a lot about what’s happening underground. When it’s buried under soil or years of built-up mulch, roots can begin circling back on themselves instead of growing outward, a condition known as girdling. Root flare exposure uses a technique called air spading to safely uncover that area, allowing arborists to inspect the root system and correct girdling roots before they cause lasting damage. This article covers how to recognize a buried root flare, why girdling roots are dangerous, and how the correction process works.
What Is Root Flare Exposure?
Root flare exposure is the process of removing excess soil or mulch from around the base of a tree to reveal the root flare and the roots directly beneath it. It gives arborists a direct look at root structure that’s normally hidden, which is often where the real cause of tree decline is found. Once the area is exposed, an arborist can identify problems like girdling roots and determine whether the tree was planted too deep to begin with.
What Does a Healthy Root Flare Look Like?
A healthy tree should have visible buttress roots that spread outward from the base of the trunk rather than a trunk that disappears straight into the ground like a utility pole. If soil or mulch has built up over the years, that flare can end up buried without anyone noticing, since the change happens gradually.
Kenny Shook, an ISA Certified Arborist at Southern Botanical, uses a simple comparison when explaining what property owners should look for. “We like to see buttress roots sticking out like the toes on an elephant’s foot,” Shook says. That visible flare allows the tree to exchange oxygen properly and supports healthy root development over the long term.
Why Buried Root Flares Lead to Long-Term Decline
A buried root flare traps moisture against the bark, creates conditions favorable to rot and disease, and often hides girdling roots that are actively restricting the tree’s growth. Because the damage builds slowly, property owners often don’t connect a thinning canopy or early fall color to something happening at the base of the trunk. By the time symptoms are visible above ground, the root system may have been under stress for several growing seasons. That’s why it’s important to get to the root of the problem as quickly as possible.
What Are Girdling Roots?
Girdling roots form when a root grows around another root or around the trunk itself instead of spreading outward, gradually restricting the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients. This often happens in trees that were planted too deep, container-grown trees with roots that never straightened out, or trees where soil has built up around the base over time. Because it happens below the surface, girdling can go unnoticed for years before it shows up as a real problem in the canopy.
Shook has seen the damage firsthand. “The root will actually choke off the larger root and not allow nutrients to flow up the tree,” he says. Left uncorrected, a girdling root can eventually cut off enough of the tree’s vascular system to cause serious decline or even death, even though everything above ground may look fine for years.
Why Is Air Spading the Preferred Method?
Digging around a tree’s base with shovels or heavy equipment risks damaging the same roots an arborist is trying to inspect and preserve. Air spading avoids that risk by using compressed air instead of blades or tines to loosen and remove soil.
Shook explains the approach directly: “We use an AirSpade to excavate soil away from the tree without causing mechanical injury.” Once the soil is cleared, arborists can inspect the root flare, identify girdling roots, and recommend corrective pruning or grading changes with minimal added stress on the tree.
When Should Root Flare Exposure Be Performed?
Root flare exposure is most effective when performed as soon as a buried flare or girdling root is suspected, since the longer roots restrict growth, the more damage accumulates. It’s often paired with a broader root zone inspection, since compacted soil and nutrient deficiencies can be present at the same time.
As Shook puts it, “It is very important to fix the roots of your tree first. If we can’t fix your roots, the rest of the tree doesn’t matter.” That principle guides how Southern Botanical’s arborists prioritize treatment, addressing root-level problems before considering anything happening in the canopy.
A buried root flare is easy to miss and slow to cause visible damage, which is exactly why it goes undiagnosed in so many North Texas landscapes. Southern Botanical’s ISA Certified Arborists use air spading to safely inspect root systems and correct girdling roots before they threaten a tree’s long-term health. If your tree’s trunk disappears straight into the ground with no visible flare, schedule a root health inspection with Southern Botanical to find out what’s happening below the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can girdling roots kill a tree? Yes, if left uncorrected long enough, girdling roots can restrict water and nutrient flow to the point of killing the tree, though many cases are treatable if caught early.
How do I know if my tree’s root flare is buried? If the trunk goes straight into the ground without any visible widening or buttress roots, the flare is likely buried under soil or mulch.
Is root flare exposure safe for mature trees? Yes, air spading is specifically designed to avoid the mechanical root damage that comes with digging, making it safe for mature and established trees.
Does mulch cause buried root flares? Piling mulch too high against the trunk over several years is one of the most common causes of a buried root flare in residential and commercial landscapes alike.
How long does root flare exposure take? Most residential trees can be completed in a single visit, though the timeline depends on the size of the tree and the extent of girdling roots found.
