How to Trim Roots on Grapevines

Grape vines are vigorous growers and have a reputation as a forgiving genus of plants, according to a webpage on the North Dakota State University website. The fruiting cycle for grape vines make annual pruning for above-ground growth a must. Root pruning should only be used to cope with compromised roots discovered during the transplanting process. Grapevines generally do not like root disturbance once they are established in a soil. However, what must be tended to are the commonly occurring root suckers that sap plant energy but are not destined to produce fruit.

Pruning shears
Loppers

Instructions

- 1
  Trim down any broken, dead, diseased, mushy or obviously decaying roots that you see in the root ball when transplanting your grape vine plants.
- 2
  Cut only so far as to remove the damage, placing the cut into healthy root tissue that has a firm white interior. Use pruning shears for roots less than half an inch in diameter and loppers for roots that are any bigger. Collect and discard the problem root tissue.
- 3
  Prune any root suckers that shoot up through the soil from the root zone or at the base of of the vine trunk. Any shoots not being trained up onto supports for fruiting should be removed at or just below the soil line, as needed, throughout the summer growing season. Replace any disturbed soil after the suckers are severed and be sure to collect and remove the cuttings from the area.

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