melaleuca linariifolia roots question

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PWC
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melaleuca linariifolia roots question

Post by PWC »

I am not sure if the roots on this Mel are desirable or need to be removed as one protrudes significantly above the surface. I have never done any root work on this to date, just potted it into a larger pot.
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Re: melaleuca linariifolia roots question

Post by shibui »

Typical of trees that started life in a small forestry tube and have not had early root work. I prefer to do major root sorting when the tree is small but it is definitely not too late if you want to do it.

The tree will grow just fine with tangled roots so the choice is of aesthetics. Personally I like neat root base, even on natives.
Linariifolia is quite tolerant of root pruning so you should be able to remove one root if required. Probably cut that one close to the trunk and develop the others nearby. If you bury it a bit deeper after root pruning it should send out new roots from the cut.
You could do that without even repotting the tree.
Next year I would bare root to see what other tangles and bends there are in the other major roots.
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PWC
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Re: melaleuca linariifolia roots question

Post by PWC »

Thanks Neil, I think I'll probably just cut the larger one off close to the trunk and have a closer look at the rest at next repot.
Peter.
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