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Exposing the Root Flare of a Tree
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Planting a tree is more difficult than planting a perennial due to the tree's size and NEED for their root flare to be exposed. Most of the time, nurseries and garden centers sell trees that have been reinforced to stay upright by having extra clay/loam on the tree trunk. I believe the thought is that if the growers can have the tree stand straight up then people will buy it. That is fine if you remember to remove the extra soil when you are planting.
Root flare is defined as the area where the tree starts to get wider at the base. Normally, the tree trunk is straight and about the same size. Then just before you get to the roots of the tree, the tree will start to get wider - this is the area defined as the root flare. If you bury the root flare too deep then the tree will still grow for a number of years but as it grows it will begin to need more oxygen and water to help support the larger tree. It is at this time that the root flare being exposed is critical.
This is a 20 year-old evergreen that had its root flare buried about 6" - 7" below the grade of the mulch. Because the root flare was buried, the tree eventually suffocated and died. We had to remove a tree that should be a beautiful specimen after 20 years. Instead , the homeowners are back to having no tree.
For information about how Artistic Landscapes can help you with your landscaping needs, please call us at 978.948.2900 or stop by our Office on Route One (111 Newburyport Turnpike) in Rowley, MA.
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