Shave 'em. Including a link to a relevant post by Dr. Bert Cregg at MSU.

Here is a link that might be useful: Another close shave

wonder what you do.. when you dont have two burly women with a power washer handy??? .. lol ...

timing is imperative in this process ... fall or early spring ... so the plant has time to settle in.. and get its roots pumping.. before the heat of summer ...

ken

Usually I tease as best I can

couple years ago H D had 1 gal P. abies Little Gem half price,,,small roots all over outside of ball
sliced& teased one
other I dug fingers up thru bottom,,pulling & tearing until I had a mushroom,,,,that's doubled in size now.
other died over 1st winter.
Fine for a $4 plant,,,would or could I with 5gal,,,$65 beauty?
Don't know,,,ron