What tree has red roots?

**l*@juno.com**

Hi All,

We're back working on removing our storm-damaged trees. The giant ash
tree was flanked by 30+ year-old rhodies (Catawbiense). We were able to
move one of them before the ground froze over and we're hoping it will be
OK. The other one is enmeshed in the roots (which are sticking up
vertically out of the ground) of the ash tree. The Rhodie is tipped out
of the ground at an angle (not too severe). We have to somehow cut it out
of the root tangle to try to save it.

While I know that rhodies are pretty shallow-rooted, there is another set
of roots in this tangle that doesn't belong to the ash tree and I'm not
sure whether they belong to the rhodie. They are about 1.5 - 3 inches in
diameter and are a deep black-red, like cabernet sauvignon or a heavy
merlot. We haven't cut them because we were afraid that they might be the
rhodie's, but we have to take some action soon -- it was over 70-degrees
here (NJ) today. I have dis-budded both plants, try to keep the exposed
hair-roots as moist as I can, and am anxious to move the plant out of the
way, so we can address the removal of the rest of the ash tree.

Even if these are rhodie roots, can the plant survive without them? Will
spraying freeze-pruf on the leaves slow evaporation through the leaves
enough to make a difference (we've had a lot of windy days and now a lot
of sun).

Suggestions appreicated.
Lois

Lois J. de Vries
Visit: http://cultivatingtheinnergardener.blogspot.com
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