My sweetgum tree has been looking worse and worse over the past two years. Currently the top has died and so have some major lateral branches. I’m thinking that this is due to the root girdling (photo 3), and that at this point there is not much I can do. Is this a correct assessment? Would it be worth attempting to cut the girdling roots?
If it is dying, I’d like to replace it with another tree (different species). How long after stump grinding can I replant a different tree in this spot?
by Negative-Nail9312
1 Comment
That’s one hell of a girdling root, so yeah I’d say it’s most likely the cause of decline. The tree may stand for quite a while longer, or it may not.
Is there a reason you want the new tree in the exact same spot? It doesn’t seem like there’s some precise landscaping layout or anything from this pic, why not just plant a new tree nearby, now? It may get a number of years to establish and grow in before this one needs to be removed, and then you won’t have to wait as long to have shade again.