Update: Root System Straight from Hell – Girdling Nightmare Uncovered

I Planted this young tree last fall, unfortunately at the same soil level as in the container — no root inspection, no teasing.

Thanks to all your amazing advice, I recently went digging to find the root flare… and what I uncovered is a complete mess: a tangled mass of girdling roots, many growing upwards instead of outwards (see pics). No real radial roots in sight.

Now the tree is already starting to drop its first leaves. It’s currently summer here in Germany.

What should I do now? Prune more of the upward roots? Expose even more of the base? Or dig it up completely, correct the roots, and replant it higher, wait for fall? Or is it too late and the battle already lost? I would love to save the tree.

Any advice would mean a lot!