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Root Pruning Trees

5 posts
  1. Barnett Danny W
    Barnett Danny W avatar
    6/24/2013 11:06 PM
    I have a number of very large and mature trees that are wrecking havoc on my cartpaths and fairways. I have a trencher that I can run between the tree and cartpath, and along the fairways, etc.

    However, after reading up on some info on the UF extension site, there are lots of warnings and a few horror stories about killing the tree, or damaging it beyond repair.

    Thoughts? And as always guys, thanks in advance for your advice and stories...



  2. Les Rutan
    Les Rutan avatar
    0 posts
    6/25/2013 7:06 PM
    Danny,

    We bought a vibratory plow attachment for our Dingo and use it quite a bit. Roll over the hump with a utility vehicle and you are good to go. It has definitely helped our areas in need.

    Les Rutan
    Crystal Tree



  3. James Smith
    James Smith avatar
    113 posts
    6/27/2013 1:06 PM
    root pruning trees in itself will not kill the tree when done right. I took a class years ago on trees and part of it was just how much root pruning is acceptable. While the teacher had photos of some trees that were pruned about 75% of the way around due to construction being done and said there was no visible damage I personally think timing is everything. I would never root prune a tree in spring because the tree is drawing up sap to help develpoe the leaves so this would starve the tree to a point.

    That being said I try to root prune trees in the summer or fall. I had made a blade much like a vibratory plow has that hooks up to our three point hitches on my tractor. while it does not vibrate it will still cut roots under 6" in diameter and is easy to cover the small trench over by running a set of tires over it. We prune next to our cartpaths but one important thing to remember is that every time you cut a root 5 new ones will sprout out.



  4. Kenneth Ingram
    Kenneth Ingram avatar
    18 posts
    6/28/2013 8:06 AM
    This IMANTS machine has been out there for a couple of years http://www.imants.com/en/machinedetails ... Rootpruner
    Manufacturer claims it will cut a 6" root. Sure looks cleaner than plowing or trenching but I have never seen one. Kenneth Ingram, UMD



  5. Ryan Sears
    Ryan Sears avatar
    1 posts
    6/30/2013 3:06 PM
    I just watched a demo of the Redexim Vertiquake machine. Quite impressive to say the lease. Great aeration tool but can also be used for root pruning tree roots as it cuts a continuous line through the soil as well.



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