Look around. Find the largest healthiest trees and look at their root flares. Find the smaller, weaker trees and look at their root flares. It does not take long to see the relationship between proper root flare and health and vigor.
A tree with a properly exposed root flare will be healthier and grow more vigorously.
DOES YOUR TREE LOOK LIKE THIS? IF SO, YOUR TREE NEEDS HELP!
DOES YOUR TREE LOOK LIKE THIS? IF SO, TREE-RIFIC!
A tree with a covered root flare will not be as healthy or vigorous and will be much more susceptible to a variety of insects, pests, and diseases.