Hi Jonathan,

When did you plant this tree? How big is it, and how is it doing now?

Hi,

The tree was planted about 1.5 weeks ago.

It is about 5 inches in diameter, 7 ft tall. It's doing fine. However, I had to dig it out the root flare from the container as it was buried under soil. That's when I found the circling roots. 

A dated picture showing the root flare and roots. 

Hi again, 

If you planted this tree yourself less than two weeks ago I’d dig it up now and cut those roots. If someone planted it for you, ask them to come back, lift it higher and make sure the circling roots are cut. The timing is not ideal but it will be much more difficult, and more damaging, to do it next year.

The root flare should be above the soil line. it looks like it is several inches too deep.

Did you plant a hardy variety of this tree? You’re in St. Louis County, which may test the cold hardiness of this tree. Whether or not you choose to take care of these roots or lift the tree this fall, water right up until the ground freezes and mulch around the tree with at least four inches of wood mulch to try to hold moisture in the soil. Don’t let the mulch touch the trunk.

If you take care of the roots now, you may need to stabilize the tree by staking it. Also, protect the trunk from wildlife by circling it with hardware cloth so they can’t chew the bark.

Directions on how to “box” a rootball so roots don’t circle is on this webpage, including links to helpful videos. It’s under the link on planting container and containerized plants. 

https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs

Good  luck.