Just realized a trick for dealing with stubborn root flare dirt on a big oak

I was working on a big pin oak in Springfield last week, and the root flare was packed with old, hard clay. I tried a pressure washer on a low setting, but it just wasn't cutting it. On a whim, I grabbed a cheap plastic putty knife from my truck and gently worked it around the base to break up the crust. It worked way better than I expected and didn't nick the bark at all. Anyone have a different go-to tool for this kind of job?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylan_smith3623d ago

A plastic putty knife is a solid choice for that kind of careful work. My own go-to is a hori hori knife, but you have to be really mindful of the angle to avoid scraping the trunk. The key is always working by hand with a dull edge, never power tools right at the base. It's slow going, but it's the only way to be sure you're not causing harm you can't see.

riverthompson22d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, you're using a hori hori on tree bark? That blade is way too sharp for that, it's meant for digging and cutting roots. How do you not end up taking huge chunks out of the trunk?

william_carter18d ago

My old boss used a pressure washer on his oak and it was fine.