Nut tree from dormant root, should I trim old tree or let it stay??

[Ross M.]

As you can tell, the root is finally coming up. What to do if anything about my stems from old tree. Should it stay this way or is the dead stems diverting water away from needy roots?

 

[oneeye]

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As you can tell, the root is finally coming up. What to do if anything about my stems from old tree. Should it stay this way or is the dead stems diverting water away from needy roots?

Its hard for me to see the plant in the photo. If you have green on the top of the stem then your tree is growing and needs the stem to pass liquid to the leaves from the roots and transport water from the roots to the leaf stomatas. As far as the little plant on the bottom its a sucker.

Suckers can rob a tree of its vigor and growth by diverting water, nutrients and vigor away from the true tree. When trees start sending out suckers its a sign something's wrong with the growing envorment. Suckers weaken the tree's strength and structural integrity. Regular early remover is recommended if you want to have a stronger original tree.

I remove all suckers as soon as I see them and start an investigation to find out why it has suckers. Your tree is planted too deep in the container and thats stressing the tree enough to send out suckers. I would remove the sucker and one inch of soil off the top to expose the root flare.

 

[cpp gardener]

So you're pretty sure the original stems are dead and it is coming back from the roots? In that case it doesn't really matter if you leave the dead stems or remove them. They're not drawing water away from the live stem. If the original stem is still alive, then yes, remove the sucker.

Oneeye, you can see the original roots above the soil so I don't think it's planted too deep.

 

[oneeye]

That's the reason I know it's planted too deep because of those roots you are talking about. Those are advantageous roots and they are growing on the tree because its planted too deep in to soil. Those roots emerge from the trunk to seek oxygen, often girdling the stem, girdling roots that circle the trunk, restricting the nutrient flowe and strangling the tree.

 

[cpp gardener]

I'm pretty sure they're just the original roots that have been exposed with container soil shrinkage due to decomposition and watering. Notice how they grow horizontally away from the trunk without curling.