Girdling is a damaging practice in which a strip of bark is removed from around the circumference of a tree or shrub, cutting off the flow of nutrients and water between the roots and the rest of the plant. Girdling can be caused accidentally by animals, machinery, or improper pruning techniques, and if severe, it can lead to the death of the plant. In some cases, girdling is done intentionally to stunt growth or control invasive species, but it should generally be avoided in healthy trees.
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