Strange roots (?) at the bottom of my apple trees... What are they?

**Mr Bones** · 16-03-2017, 07:03 AM

Sorry Max, don't know but I'm sure someone with more tree knowledge will be along soon. Are they definitely roots or have they all appeared above the soil line.

**fishpond** · 16-03-2017, 07:27 AM

I can only think that the original roots are traumatised in some way---not enough room/part eaten by something, therefore the rootstock is putting out more roots to compensate.
If it was mine I would remove it from its current container, check the original roots for damage, then repot into a much larger pot using JI Number 3 and give it a good soaking.
Remembering to keep the scion above the soil level.

**Jungle Jane** · 16-03-2017, 07:39 AM

Aren't they just suckers growing from the rootstock & you can cut them off?

**sparrow100** · 16-03-2017, 07:59 AM

I had the same on my Christmas Pippin, planted in the ground. I have no idea what they are either but it didn't seem to stop it fruiting.

The bed it was in was extremely wet - I dug it up the February after the things appeared and it's been in a pot ever since. Going back into the ground this year.

**Russel Sprout** · 16-03-2017, 10:35 AM

I've been told on another forum that they are just roots and I have nothing to worry about. I just need to cover them with soil and all will be well. I'm hoping that's the case!

@fishpond. The trees are in the ground, not in pots. The pics are a bit confusing!

Thanks for the replies.

**veggiechicken** · 16-03-2017, 10:37 AM

You're on another forum

In that case I won't tell you what I think

**Lardman** · 16-03-2017, 11:23 AM

Here's a link to the last post about them (on here).

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ion_91612.html

**Russel Sprout** · 17-03-2017, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post

You're on another forum

In that case I won't tell you what I think

Sorry, no offence meant. I've got enough love to go around...

But in all seriousness, some of these questions get such a range of answers that I prefer to use a couple (or a few) forums so that I can form some kind of consensus! Would love to hear your thoughts if you have any, but no worries if not.

Originally posted by Lardman View Post

Here's a link to the last post about them (on here).

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ion_91612.html

Thanks, that was a very helpful read.

It would definitely seem the consensus is to NOT remove them, but whether I should cover them with soil or not I'm still unsure...

**veggiechicken** · 17-03-2017, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by Max Dread View Post

Sorry, no offence meant. I've got enough love to go around...

But in all seriousness, some of these questions get such a range of answers that I prefer to use a couple (or a few) forums so that I can form some kind of consensus! Would love to hear your thoughts if you have any, but no worries if not.

No worries, Max, you're not the only member of this forum who spreads themselves about a bit! I look in on some when we have a problem member - to see if they're causing problems elsewhere too. (I'm not saying you are

) It can get a bit disheartening when a thread is started on here - that looks like original thought - to find the same thing posted on other forums.

But I digress, as usual.

I have a number of trees with those aerial roots, from below the graft. I just let them get on with it.
Here's one -

**chrisdb** · 17-03-2017, 06:13 PM

They seem to happen especially often with the mm106 apple rootstock.

And you can't win if you ask why and how to prevent them: if conditions are moist and shady at ground level then that's the cause, and if conditions are dry then it must be looking for more water.

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Strange roots (?) at the bottom of my apple trees... What are they?

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