[jwholden]

Today I was planting an Acer sacharum 'Legacy' and after I removed about 4" of soil I found this on the trunk. There was about another 3" of soil until I found the root flare.

Any ideas what this line around the trunk could be?

[TrickyDick]

Looks a nearly healed physical injury to me. From the location my guess would be that it was left tied in burlap too long and the twine cut into the bark. Could be something else but that looks exactly like damage I've seen when guy-wires are left on a tree and the tree grows around the wire.

[dan deutekom]

I agree with Tricky Dick. Looks like healed over damage from twine or wire. You might even find it embedded under the healing

[Forge]

I agree with the aforementioned possibilites to be the most likely answer, but as I took another look at the picture, I noticed quite a difference in the bark patterns above and below the 'wound' and thought to myself that it could what is left of the graft in some way...

[VoodooChile]

Yup...it could be where the scion was grafted to the understock, except I would think the wound would go all the way around the trunk...

[Mark Oomkes]

The bark difference could be explained by being under 4" of soil too.

I'd go with the twine\guy wire type injury. Not that that would ever happen, everybody removes tree stakes and wiring within the first year, right?

[jwholden]

Thanks for the input. I took that picture to the nursery and the owner told me to take another tree at no charge. Yes, it sucks having to plant a tree twice. Much better than buying a 3 - 3.5" caliper tree twice at 395.

[VoodooChile]

Rereading this thread, I gotta say, way to go jw
for doing the right thing.

You took the time to strip away excess soil and expose the root flare and you didn't just walk away from a "minor imperfection" which most homeowners would miss, but longterm could jeopardize the tree.

[Lanelle]

This just underscores the importance of taking the time to expose the root flare on all newly planted trees. Preferably, it is done during the planting process so the tree can be planted at the correct soil height.
Now make certain that you explain this to the client. Hopefully, they will recognize that you have given them the most professional outcome possible and become your newest cheerleaders---to their friends and neighbors.

[Nathaniel Carr]

What did you do with the "wounded" tree?
My vote is graft heal. BTW

[jwholden]

I took the tree back to the nursery. One of the guys there took a knife and cut the tree at the line and the damage went about 1/4" in.

I picked up another tree from the same lot and when I dug down to find the flare there was no damage.

I planted that darned tree 3 times!

First time - Bought tree from another nursery. When I dug to find flare the tree had a wicked crook in the trunk. Took it back for credit.

Second time - Bought tree from different nursery and found the wound when searching for the flare.

Third time - Picked up replacement tree and planted again. It finally had a straight and healthy flare..

Yes folks, that comes to about 14 man hours to plant one tree. I think I'll spend a little more time at the nursery making my selections next visit.

[agla]

I wonder if your client realizes how lucky he is to have you!

[rivergirl]

My first gut reaction was that tree had been planted hard against a fence wire. We see those straight line indentions on trees trying to grow against taunt wire.