A tree planted too deep, or mulched too heavily around the base for years, can develop girdling roots, roots that wrap around the trunk instead of growing outward, slowly choking the tree from the base up.
It's a slow process, which is exactly why it goes unnoticed for so long. By the time the canopy shows obvious stress, thinning, early leaf drop, dieback on one side, the constriction has often been building for years.
Catching it early sometimes allows for root correction. Catching it late usually means the damage is already done. It's one of the reasons a root flare inspection is worth including in a routine tree health check.
Can you actually see where your tree's trunk flares out into the roots, or does it disappear straight into the mulch?
#TreeHealth
Photo of a tree's root flare, or a crew member examining a root zone. Authentic property photography preferred over stock imagery.
Canva text suggestion: "Can You See Your Tree's Root Flare?" or "Girdling Roots: The Silent Strangler"