Girdling wires and ropes, Michigan trees, shrubs

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Girdling wires and ropes

Ropes left around tree trunks, guy wires and hose from stakes may constrict growth or become embedded in the trunk or branch, causing it to become girdled. Reduced growth or dieback above the girdled point or a swollen appearance to the stem above the point of constriction may be evident.

Remove rope or wire if possible; sometimes injury is discovered too late for removal to be effective.

Additional information

MSU Diagnostic Services for assistance in identifying causes of plant injury.

This information was developed from A Pocket IPM Scouting Guide for Woody Landscape Plants by Diane Brown-Rytlewski. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2839).

The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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7/17/07