Root Pruning Basics | How to Prune Roots of Container-Grown Trees

[@mkb7997]

I’ve always wondered how to keep large plant specimens content in a pot. Thank you for finally getting my questions answered.

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@sieveroconnor-aoki8217]

very helpful and succinct (no extraneous chatter). Thank you.

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SavvyHomesteader]

I would like to say thank you for this knowledge. I was able to help a few fruit trees that I got from Home Depot and Walmart with this method. I look forward to the challenge when I bring a fruit tree home. I now know how to save a life😅

[@GardenGateMagazine]

That is awesome! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@precioustraveler]

Just learning about root pruning after 20 years of container gardening (10 years in Brooklyn, 10 in Los Angeles). So many of my LA plants could have used root pruning. 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Glad you found the tutorial helpful, thanks for watching!

[@timsolomon8352]

It would be nice to see an update on something like this. Noone ever does, and it makes me think the plant or tree croked. Lol

[@cosmokramer7926]

If they don't do this the roots exhaust the soil and there isn't enough medium to hold moisture so trees that don't have this done often die on their own a couple of years after potting with no maintenance. Interestingly enough arborists now recommend doing this to trees right out of their nursery pots when you plant them because university researchers have shown it to be very beneficial for new root growth compared to the old wisdom of "scoring" the root ball vertically.

[@rosiegold8562]

Great video and excellent job! Thank you ❤

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@abderrazzakaljalil1375]

Good job

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Thank you for watching!

[@raarnt]

Thank you for this. I am about to root prune my potted lilac but I wasn't sure if you needed to take of brances to accomodate the smaller root ball. But it would seem as long as you only take of a little bit the brances won't die from a small prune

[@GardenGateMagazine]

You don't need to remove any branches when root prune. Prune as you would normally after it blooms in the spring.

[@leevilchis8962]

This is an awesome video! Would this work for potted wisterias? I want to be as delicate as possible and I'm so scared to root trim.

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Thanks for watching! Our test garden manager thinks this would be fine for a potted wisteria - just do it while it is dormant (or after it blooms if you don’t get a chance early in the spring before it leafs out) so you don’t disrupt its growth too much.

[@CannabisRex]

What do you do when you run into big roots? I've got a 7-gallon potted oak with roots 1/2" to 1/4" thick showing at the bottom or sides. I"m planting it, no more container for it.

[@GardenGateMagazine]

If you are planting in the ground, don't trim roots but tease them out. Thanks for watching.

[@lenoralenor5135]

Can you do anything with what you cut off? Can you propagate from that which you cut off?

[@GardenGateMagazine]

We just toss all in the compost pile.

[@AnibalHdezValle]

Do You do this in the winter or the summer or can it be done all year round? Thank you

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Great question! Best to do it in late winter or early spring while the tree or shrub is dormant. Don't do it in the summer as that is stressful for the plant to try to grow new roots when they are needed for water uptake. When the plant is dormant, they can get a head start on growing roots after pruning them off.

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

I would have been concerned all that pruning might shock the tree, and instead put it into a larger pot after trimming of the bottom roots and loosening up the sides.

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Yes, it is shocking to the tree, which is why it is best to do in late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant. That way the roots can start growing and recovering before the tree puts on new growth. If you were to do it in summer when the tree is actively growing and needing moisture all the time, root pruning can be detrimental and limit uptake of water and nutrients. Also, only shear off an inch or two, depending on the size of the root ball, so you don’t cut off too many of the feeder roots. Planting back into the same size container limits growth of the root ball, in effect stunting the tree and keeping it smaller in the tree, which may be what you want for that tree. If you want it to grow a bit, planting into the next size up container will allow more growth. Either way, repotting is stressful on any plant, but often can give a container-grown plant a shot in the arm to rejuvenate it.

[@NoName-dd5vq]

Some of these will require a 30 gal if you keep allowing them to grow. Some will even require 50 gal. You have to prune them.

[@EmmaMorgan09]

You could have taken more off the front of the rootball to centre it. It will grow fine 💙

[@GardenGateMagazine]

You are probably correct. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ScottyBigMoney]

Hello and love the video. I have a question. I have a Makawi japanese maple in a 5 gallon pot. I fear it is root bound and was going to prune it this season but missed the small window before my tree leafed out. I put some holes in the soil to get some air in but soon after leafing out while still growing it just stopped all growth and leaves started with small brown spots. Leaves are falling off completely now and I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and prune the roots like in this video? I have tested with pyrethrin and fungicide that's safe for all plants and trees. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm trying to save this beautiful tree. I guess my main question is can I root prune now in Maryland in June and will that help or hurt my tree?

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Consider trying root pruning to boost plant growth. It can trigger new growth, but be cautious if there are underlying issues. Check root condition: white and healthy roots can be pruned; mushy or brown indicate potential fungal problems. Pruning may also remove diseased roots. Given your longer growing season, root pruning seems viable. Visit MrMaple.com for specialized Japanese maple growing tips. Good luck with your tree!

[@SculptedThoughts]

How many gallons is this pot? Can I keep a tree in the same size pot without upgrading? It's difficult, I only have an apartment.

[@GardenGateMagazine]

The pot is 22” in diameter, and we don’t know the gallon size, but larger than a 5-gal bucket for sure. Yes, you can keep a tree in the same pot if you root prune-you might need to do it yearly if the tree is vigorous and you want to keep its size restricted to that same size pot. Small dwarf trees would not be that hard to maintain in a pot. Thanks for watching.

[@SculptedThoughts]

This will work for American Hazelnut?

[@GardenGateMagazine]

American Hazelnut is a fairly small tree, so it should work just fine.

[@BetsyH]

Would this work for a boxwood I have growing in a pot. It's been in the pot about four years now.

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Yes, the process would be the same. Thanks for watching.

[@BetsyH]

​@@GardenGateMagazine good to hear.

[@vin.handle]

Would trimming the tree regularly above the container also avoid the plant getting root bound?

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Unfortunately, no. The best way to prevent it from getting root bound is to prune the roots. Hope this helps!

[@vin.handle]

@@GardenGateMagazine That helps. I am growing dwarf crape myrtles in containers to about 4 feet and I think a big enough container might also help prevent a root bound plant and avoid having to prune too often

[@MariannePeters-v3o]

Would this work for a banana tree/plant?

[@GardenGateMagazine]

We’ve never root pruned a banana, but ours usually goes dormant in our zone and we often take it out of the pot and store it bare-root in a plastic bag for winter and just trim before planting in spring. That said, if you leave it in the pot, it doesn’t hurt to slide it out of the pot in the spring and check to roots-if they look like they are getting root bound, go ahead and do a root pruning to give it a boost. Thanks for watching.

[@Pamp121]

Can this be done to fruit trees grown in pots?

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Fruit trees grown in containers are ok to root prune--and will likely have a better crop as sometimes root pruning can "shock" a plant into increased fruiting.

[@rvillemaire]

do you have to add root hormone to when root cutting evreytime

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Since these are already established roots that have been cut, roots already growing will simply branch more. There is no need for rooting hormone to stimulate roots to form, as you would on a stem cutting. Thanks for watching!

[@taniagilbody1745]

Can you please tell us what the name of your garden tools are, also how you keep them clean.

[@GardenGateMagazine]

@@taniagilbody1745 We recommend sanitizing any tools that you use with a 1:9 bleach-to-water mixture. Here are links to a few similar tools we recommend, Happy Gardening! Corona Tools 10-Inch RazorTOOTH Folding Saw www.amazon.com/Corona-RazorTOOTH-Folding-RS-7265D/dp/B001RD7LRO?keywords=pruning%2Bsaw&qid=1692913395&sr=8-5&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=activeinterest-gg-20&linkId=dc1b4e3396429b38fb6e864f6562b67f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo www.amazon.com/M-Leonard-Deluxe-Leather-Sheath/dp/B00DEKR9MA?crid=605CAYTDPRXQ&keywords=soil+knife&qid=1692913473&sprefix=soil+knife%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-7&linkCode=ll1&tag=activeinterest-gg-20&linkId=e953861108f79d7536121f02c0c75a9a&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

[@kumudinihomegarden9139]

Nice,I do the same way. New Subscriber gardening friend here🤝🤝🌺🍒

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Great! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@channelbk779]

That great but what if you are planting it in the ground? Do you still shave all that off?

[@raarnt]

I'm no arborist but I would say yes, shear off a little bit. Reason being if you don't the roots tend to grow in the same circular pattern it had in the pot which might kill the tree long term

[@GardenGateMagazine]

Yes, shear off some of the roots so it doesn't keep circling. Thanks.