Young Ginkgo-massive root

[Eckhoffw]

Hello y’all!
I have this 3 yr ginkgo
that has a almost trunk sized root.

YIKES!!!!
Is there any hope in removing this root?
I’ve read that Ginkgos don’t much like root work.
If it were an elm or something I would plan on getting a free plant from a nice root cutting.
Since it’s not, I’m thinking plant it in the ground for an ornamental tree, and move on.
Any suggestions?????
Thanks

 

[Shibui]

Not sure where your info is from? I was surprised to find that gingko tolerate root chops very well and have since done drastic root reduction on some. They grow easily as cuttings. If a stick without roots can grow new roots then surely a stick with some roots is way ahead on the road to recovery?
A few thick roots is par for gingko. It takes persistent root pruning to get good lateral roots.
I have seen gingko on the list of species that grow from root cuttings but I've tried several times and had no strikes yet.
If you are still reluctant to try cutting roots hard consider a ground layer of some sort. Just tie a wire tightly round the trunk and bury it deeper. As the wire strangles the trunk it should put out new roots above.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Wow, ok ; very good to know. I will proceed with a re-pot and see how many fine roots I have independent of the big root. If enough, I’ll repot it. If not, I’ll apply the wire.
thanks!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

When you repot it next, you’ll be able to tell if it can be removed in one go or several. Ginkgo can take pretty aggressive root work when strong, but you want to be sure lopping it off doesn’t separate the tree from its entire root system.

 

[sorce]

Since cuttings seem more reliable than root cuttings and this is only year 3, I'd restart a cutting to become whatever you were trying to make this by removing that root. With a nice radial flare it will jump you years ahead even though it seems like a restart.

And figure a way to utilize all that movement of root in conjunction with a couple low buds to use this as something more interesting.

When those roots coming out of the ground are so close in thickness to the trunk, we need to SEE that underground movement as potential.

If all the interesting movement is underground, we should dig it up!

You know @Cadillactaste twisted cascade bougie?

I'd like to see this low hidden part turn into something like that.
Chances are good there'll be a bend you can hang over the edge of a pot that'll have enough feeders in some configuration below that to sustain it.

Just being a Ginkgo would make that dope AF.

Get a yellow leaf to cross in front of a really dark pot....sick.
No rules would really matter. It would look too dope.

Sorce

 

[Eckhoffw]

Bit the bullet and got down on this ginkgo.
I took @sorce ’s input and hoped for a way to cascade this thing.
Roots

After playing with and untangling these roots, I decided on going for two trees.
The root cutting back in Betty Crocker.

 

[penumbra]

You made the right move. My ginkgo, like many of my elms, throw roots up like this frequently.

 

[Eckhoffw]

You made the right move. My ginkgo, like many of my elms, throw roots up like this frequently.

Thanks,
yeah, we’ll see how they do. When I potted this tree I didn’t even notice it!

 

[Shibui]

You can expect more of those fine roots to thicken. Hopefully a few will fatten up this time but thick roots is normal for gingko. Keep chopping at future repots to keep promoting more roots and better nebari.

 

[Eckhoffw]

You can expect more of those fine roots to thicken. Hopefully a few will fatten up this time but thick roots is normal for gingko. Keep chopping at future repots to keep promoting more roots and better nebari.

Thanks so much! I will be very proactive on root development!

 

[Eckhoffw]

This one was slow to get going, but is on its way now.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Did the root cutting take?

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I have a ginkgo I’ve had in a pond basket the past decade or so. I meant to repot into a container that would hold moisture a bit better, as it always looks a bit dry and yellow we’ll before the end of the growing season.
Anyone have any experience doing work this time of year on one? I was thinking about repotting and chopping it down to the roots for a shorter, more powerful tree.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Did the root cutting take?

No. Actually this plant and the root cutting got snacked on by rabbits this winter.
I was happy this one woke up.