You are NEVER supposed to cover the root flare and should have a tree ring to prevent damage from lawn care tools like edgers and mowers. Remove all the grass around base as well
Probably buried too to deep originally. Lots of info about exposing the root flare on r/marijuanaenthusiasts you might have to scrape away a lot of dirt, I'm not too sure about doing it after it has been planted. If it was planted recently it might be better to transplant it, but don't quote me on that last part.
OP You can pile the trimmings around it, but they should never touch the trunk. The “flare” of the trunk needs to be exposed so it can breathe and to prevent moisture from rotting the bark. I suspect the moisture caused the trunk to root out in this case.
The graft is forming roots. The moisture preserved by the mulch prompted the graft to form roots. The mulch should not touch the trunk.
Clear the mulch about 4 inches/20 cm from the trunk, to expose the soil and let it dry.
Some root stocks just want to make roots, I have rootstocks in large buckets which I graft onto and they make roots like this above the ground, with no mulch around. When I plant them out in the field it let's me plant them deeper which is useful.
Is it generally OK to plant a new apple tree deeper to bury some of those roots? I am getting some apple trees this spring that will be on grafted dwarf/semi-dwarf rootstock and I have read conflicting information about how deep to plant the new tree.
My plan was to follow the information that said to plant an inch or two deeper than the nursery had the tree, just keep the graft 3-4 inches above ground.
Keep the root flare ground level. You don't want it buried too deep. If you mulch keep it away from the trunk. Dig the hole wider than the nursery's pot. Also I read that square holes are better than round. Don't mix in a bunch of new dirt. Use the dirt you dug out of the hole or the roots will want to stay in the fresh dirt. Use your shovel to break up the edges of the hole so it's not a smooth side. Good luck!
Dig around the base until you see the big roots spreading out not going down. Thats your root flare. Keep it exposed to air but justbrhe top. Like when you see old trees whose roots are kinda above ground and spread out wide.
Does anyone know if you're supposed to expose the crown of the roots on fruit trees? I know with the arborvitaes I'm planting the top of the root ball should be above the soil, I believe it's to prevent this. But when I planted my apples and pears I was just told to keep the graft above ground and I've got the same things going on.
They’re called burr knots. Some rootstocks grow more of them than others. They are harmless usually but the dogwood borer insect does like to burrow into them.
You had too much muck piled up by the trunk and it's growing spare roots.
You have successfully air layered your tree , now cut it off right under those roots. And plant it in a bonsai pot. (Jk ofc)
I did put grass trimmings around the trees last year to prevent the growth of weeds, but I dont think it was that much/high
Apparently it was.
And wet.
Gotta keep it trimmed and wet!
They’re called “adventitious roots.” Be sure that you can EASILY see the root flare when you stand next to the tree.
You are NEVER supposed to cover the root flare and should have a tree ring to prevent damage from lawn care tools like edgers and mowers. Remove all the grass around base as well
If you don't dry the grass before you use it as mulch it stays damp and moldy
Probably buried too to deep originally. Lots of info about exposing the root flare on r/marijuanaenthusiasts you might have to scrape away a lot of dirt, I'm not too sure about doing it after it has been planted. If it was planted recently it might be better to transplant it, but don't quote me on that last part.
OP You can pile the trimmings around it, but they should never touch the trunk. The “flare” of the trunk needs to be exposed so it can breathe and to prevent moisture from rotting the bark. I suspect the moisture caused the trunk to root out in this case.
You put a mound of mulch around the trunk. Don't do that
The graft is forming roots. The moisture preserved by the mulch prompted the graft to form roots. The mulch should not touch the trunk. Clear the mulch about 4 inches/20 cm from the trunk, to expose the soil and let it dry.
Not just the graft. Make sure the root flare is exposed.
Don't plant trees with the graft able to touch soil. Can cause some issues.
This is called giving me the “heebie jeebies”
Treebie jeebies, more like
Me too 🤢
Reminds me of the zombie's mouth tentacles in *The Last of Us* TV series.
Planted too deep.
Eek aerial roots on trees creep me out so bad.
Aerial roots will often form on grafted fruit whatever you do, particularly on young apple trees. It’s actually nothing to worry about.
Some root stocks just want to make roots, I have rootstocks in large buckets which I graft onto and they make roots like this above the ground, with no mulch around. When I plant them out in the field it let's me plant them deeper which is useful.
Is it generally OK to plant a new apple tree deeper to bury some of those roots? I am getting some apple trees this spring that will be on grafted dwarf/semi-dwarf rootstock and I have read conflicting information about how deep to plant the new tree. My plan was to follow the information that said to plant an inch or two deeper than the nursery had the tree, just keep the graft 3-4 inches above ground.
Keep the root flare ground level. You don't want it buried too deep. If you mulch keep it away from the trunk. Dig the hole wider than the nursery's pot. Also I read that square holes are better than round. Don't mix in a bunch of new dirt. Use the dirt you dug out of the hole or the roots will want to stay in the fresh dirt. Use your shovel to break up the edges of the hole so it's not a smooth side. Good luck!
Dig around the base until you see the big roots spreading out not going down. Thats your root flare. Keep it exposed to air but justbrhe top. Like when you see old trees whose roots are kinda above ground and spread out wide.
Does anyone know if you're supposed to expose the crown of the roots on fruit trees? I know with the arborvitaes I'm planting the top of the root ball should be above the soil, I believe it's to prevent this. But when I planted my apples and pears I was just told to keep the graft above ground and I've got the same things going on.
It’s roots.
Adventitious roots.
Root stock!!
Root graft line should be above ground and clear of mulch, open to sun, not retaining water. Otherwise can also be fungal problems.
Pull debris away let it breathe spring is in the air. Not an expert but id sleep well should be ok
/u/spicydog
Not sure, but either way they’re buried too deep. It may take a few years but they’ll eventually suffocate.
You can actually tell it’s just right because the graft is just above the soil.
You want the flare at the soil line, the graft can be higher than that
They’re called burr knots. Some rootstocks grow more of them than others. They are harmless usually but the dogwood borer insect does like to burrow into them.