4 year old overcup oak tree is root bound- advice?

[moontree]

Hi all,

I have an overcup oak tree in my front yard that was in a pot the first year of it's life. I tried to break up the roots before putting it in the ground but clearly didn't do a good enough job (first time homeowner and no gardening experience). The tree is now over 12 feet tall and seems sturdy. Each year brings lots of new growth, for now. But I noticed recently that the roots toward the top all take a sharp turn back towards the tree and loop around.

So is this worth saving? Would I be able to cut the roots before they turn or would that just kill the tree? Is it doomed if I do nothing?

If it's not salvageable, any advice on the best way to get the tree out of the ground so that something else can be (properly) planted in its place?

I wish I would have noticed sooner before it got so big, but at least I've learned my lesson.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[Del_]

That sure looks like a container grown tree.

Cutting the roots, making smooth cuts might work.

I'd just cut one root per year to give the tree time to respond. Just remove soil from around one root and make a clean cut, then remove maybe a six inch section so it doesn't graft back together. Some roots may already grafted to other roots.

Like you probably know by now, the root pruning should have been done at planting time. Those roots for sure will become girdling roots in the not to distant future.