Vol. III, No. 5, May 2004
Getting Rid Of Girdles...
Remember to remove old stakes, ties, and labels from your trees and shrubs. Stems and trunks grow in diameter this time of year and it is important to remove any constrictions that exist around them. Even a thin wire can completely girdle a branch causing it to eventually die. While it's true that tree trunks may grow around wire, nails, or ties, they will forever have a structural defect that may be unsightly and is likely prone to storm damage.