Part 2/7:
The process begins with a straightforward yet crucial step: establishing a root base. The gardener emphasizes that the cut should only reach about 1.5 to 2 inches above the knuckle of the pinky finger, forming a clear line that will not exceed the necessary limits. It's essential to only penetrate the cambium layer, a thin green line just beneath the bark, as this layer plays a pivotal role in nutrient conveyance within the tree.
The gardener further highlights the importance of scraping this cambium layer down to the actual wood. Retaining any soft tissue will hinder the tree from achieving the desired root base as nutrients continue to flow uninterrupted.