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

Don't let your container trees get rootbound and suffer! Watch to learn Jennifer's tips on how to prune the roots of container trees to keep them healthy and manageable. This technique is best to do in late winter or early spring while the tree or shrub is dormant. Avoid root pruning in the summer as it can be stressful for the plant to try to grow new roots when they are needed for water uptake. When the plant is dormant, they have a better head start on growing roots after pruning them off.

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[mkb]

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

[sieveroconnor-aoki]

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

[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😅

[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. 🤦🏾‍♀️

[rosiegold]

Great video and excellent job! Thank you ❤

[timsolomon]

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

[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

[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.

[leevilchis]

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.

[lenoralenor]

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

[AnibalHdezValle]

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

[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?

[vin.handle]

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

[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.

[EmmaMorgan]

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

[BetsyH]

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

[MariannePeters-vo]

Would this work for a banana tree/plant?

[rvillemaire]

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

[Pamp]

Can this be done to fruit trees grown in pots?