Help for Cottonless Cottonwood with circle root

[Gopher Hunter]

Greetings

I planted 6 Cottonless Cottonwoods about 4 years ago. 4 of the trees have died and all had bad circle-root. I suspect that at least one of the two surviving Cottonwoods has circle root: Tree trunk is loose just like the other 4 trees that died.

This tree is just under 20' high and about 4" diameter trunk at the base. What would be the best move going forward? I believe I can dig out a ring around the root ball and chop out the circling root mess. Not sure if this is the correct "solution". Please advise!

regards
JohnG

 

[Raintree]

Bad news John, if the trunk is wiggling in the ground, it's best to remove. Main reason why trees do this is because they have been planted too deep. The stump & buttress root support system has rotted away, the tree then sprouts advantageous roots to survive. These weak roots will last until a good wind blows it over, no fixing this one. Start over with a good tree properly planted.