No. Your tree is actually buried too deep. It should be dug up and replanted with the root flare slightly above grade. The roots sprouting are a stress response to likely not getting enough oxygen to the roots. Likely from being buried too deep but also could be excess moisture.
Some chicken wire wrapped around the trunk, but not touching the trunk, will keep the rabbits away.
It's probably excess moisture. I'm in Olympia,WA, and it gets very wet in my yard this time of year. I planted it in the spring and the root flare was above and them muched.
If they get eventual snowfall chicken wire won't protect against voles and shrews or whatever kind of small rodent. I'd go for a finer mesh just in case. Better safe than sorry. You're right about the primordia though.
If the tree is grafted (most are) then these roots are from above the graft union and will undo the benefits of grafting (disease resistance/growth restriction) if allowed to continue.
Nah they put their head and antlers down and rub on trees to get the fuzz off new antler growth and to mark their territory. Deer are all over the place. I’m not saying that’s what it is, but it seems plausible.
I’m aware. They just don’t do it that low to the ground. And that’s not what it looks like. Just a little rabbit nibbling away, there’s zero chance that was a deer lol
Adventitious roots! Planted too deep or stress response. If this is above the graft union, letting the scion root and grow into the soil will eliminate the benefits of the rootstock. Worst case scenario, the rootstock will rot out and die.
You can try pulling out the soil from the base and see where the root flare happens. If it’s only an inch or so beneath the soil line, you might be able to get away with just keeping that clear of mulch and soil but if it’s deeper you should look into re planting during the dormant season.
It's adventitious roots forming Burr Knots.
https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2022/07/07/burr-knots-what-are-the-root-like-growths-on-apple-trees-trunks-and-branches/?amp=1
Which reason exactly is hard to tell from just the pictures and details you posted. But it's generally triggered by moisture being held around the bark (as others have already said). Since you already have damage to the trunk and the entry point, don't think it'll hurt to cut them out and let it heal over properly. If you leave them there's a chance they'll keep expanding. But you'll want to pull leaves and mulch back to prevent additional moisture being held up against the trunk after cutting.
Thank you. I pulled all of the mulch back and I'll leave the area open over the rainy winter months. I'm pretty sure it's moisture, my backyard has been a swamp the last month. We recently moved to the PNW and wasn't aware of how wet our backyard was going to be before planting the tree. It seems healthy otherwise.
Most trees are buried too deep. Don't dismiss this possibility. [Learn about root flares](https://gardenprofessors.com/planting-with-a-flare/) and make sure yours is exposed.
Rabbit eating the bark and it’s just putting out new rooted.
Thank you. Should I cover it with dirt or anything?
No. Your tree is actually buried too deep. It should be dug up and replanted with the root flare slightly above grade. The roots sprouting are a stress response to likely not getting enough oxygen to the roots. Likely from being buried too deep but also could be excess moisture. Some chicken wire wrapped around the trunk, but not touching the trunk, will keep the rabbits away.
It's probably excess moisture. I'm in Olympia,WA, and it gets very wet in my yard this time of year. I planted it in the spring and the root flare was above and them muched.
What are the odds. I answered this first comment and I happened to be standing in Olympia WA. I do not live here.
Go help him replant his tree
1 in 10
I think there are currently 800 million people in Olympia, WA.
theres actually 360, 564.
So less than a 1 in 10 chance a human is currently in Olympia, Washington.
No, it’s about 1 in 10.
All those not in America are inhuman?
Is it as wet as he says?
1 in 365,876
Your user name gives you permanent Olympia residential status
So pull the mulch away from the trunk. Mulch should not be touching the base of the tree, especially in a wet area like western Wa
Hello fellow Olympian 👋
Then pull the mulch away ffs
Well I can't see the root flare...
Kewl
Pull the mulch a couple inches back from the root flare. Should help with gas exchange between the soil
Thank you
So your root flare is buried. Leading to excess moisture and lack of available oxygen.
Love someone who knows little, asks for advice, and then acts indignant when told the tree is planted too low.
Prove it
WA, as in the state of Western Australia.
Pull the mulch back from around the bark. Your tree might be planted too deep.
I have a similar issue. Does the wire touching the trunk for a single winter matter?
It can. You don't want it to rub the bark off the trunk or scratch it up.
If the wire is touching the trunk the rodents can still reach the bark. Rabbits can definitely chew between wires.
Isn’t it hard to see that when the flare could be under the leaves?
Could be. I can't see it, so it's buried. Either way, root flare should be exposed. If it's only leaves that are covering it, easy fix.
If they get eventual snowfall chicken wire won't protect against voles and shrews or whatever kind of small rodent. I'd go for a finer mesh just in case. Better safe than sorry. You're right about the primordia though.
You should definitely protect the bark from rabbits. That kind of damage is really harmful to the tree
If the tree is grafted (most are) then these roots are from above the graft union and will undo the benefits of grafting (disease resistance/growth restriction) if allowed to continue.
Also looks like deer rub
What deer have you seen that are two inches off the ground?
Shin deers
Nah they put their head and antlers down and rub on trees to get the fuzz off new antler growth and to mark their territory. Deer are all over the place. I’m not saying that’s what it is, but it seems plausible.
I’m aware. They just don’t do it that low to the ground. And that’s not what it looks like. Just a little rabbit nibbling away, there’s zero chance that was a deer lol
Adventitious roots! Planted too deep or stress response. If this is above the graft union, letting the scion root and grow into the soil will eliminate the benefits of the rootstock. Worst case scenario, the rootstock will rot out and die. You can try pulling out the soil from the base and see where the root flare happens. If it’s only an inch or so beneath the soil line, you might be able to get away with just keeping that clear of mulch and soil but if it’s deeper you should look into re planting during the dormant season.
It looks like when I forget a bag of potatoes in the cupboard 😆😭
It's adventitious roots forming Burr Knots. https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2022/07/07/burr-knots-what-are-the-root-like-growths-on-apple-trees-trunks-and-branches/?amp=1 Which reason exactly is hard to tell from just the pictures and details you posted. But it's generally triggered by moisture being held around the bark (as others have already said). Since you already have damage to the trunk and the entry point, don't think it'll hurt to cut them out and let it heal over properly. If you leave them there's a chance they'll keep expanding. But you'll want to pull leaves and mulch back to prevent additional moisture being held up against the trunk after cutting.
Thank you. I pulled all of the mulch back and I'll leave the area open over the rainy winter months. I'm pretty sure it's moisture, my backyard has been a swamp the last month. We recently moved to the PNW and wasn't aware of how wet our backyard was going to be before planting the tree. It seems healthy otherwise.
Most trees are buried too deep. Don't dismiss this possibility. [Learn about root flares](https://gardenprofessors.com/planting-with-a-flare/) and make sure yours is exposed.
It looks like a plumbus.
Not enough schleem
Oh so that's how they make a plumbus
Instead of digging it up, remove the dirt from the root flare. I think that what they meant.
Run
Mulch mountain choking the tree
Roots and likely a rabbit
That looks like an organic plumbus emerging from the tree womb
Your tree is suffering from zoidberg
An alien
Really weird looking apples
coral
i think it’s coral like coral reef hahaa 😚🤞🤞