What describes a band made around the trunk, limb, or root of a plant that can cause injury if it girdles the plant?

A girdle refers to a band made around the trunk, limb, or root of a plant that restricts the flow of nutrients and water, effectively causing injury or even death if it completely encircles and constricts the plant. When a girdle forms, typically due to mechanical damage or the application of a constricting material, it inhibits the vascular systems that are essential for plant health. This can lead to symptoms such as stunted growth, wilting, or dieback as the plant struggles without adequate resources. Understanding this term is crucial for landscape contractors, as recognizing and preventing girdling can help maintain the health and vitality of trees and other landscape plants.

The other terms in the choices relate to different concepts; grafting is a method of planting where tissues from one plant are joined with another; ground cover pertains to low-growing plants covering the soil surface; and epicormic refers to shoots that grow from dormant buds on a plant’s trunk or branches. While these concepts are important in landscape management, they do not specifically denote the damaging effect associated with the constricting band described in the question.