raised bed around trees

[Doctor Who]

Is there any potential harm to trees that have a slightly raised bed
around them? Since there is no grass imediately around some of the
larger trees in my yard, I was considering planting some sort of
shade-loving plants in a raised bed around them. Perhaps make a
circular bed with sandstones. Would having the soil/mositure up a
little ways in the trunk of the tree hurt it?

[Zhanataya]

That really depends on the age of the tree, where the feeder
roots are, and how much area your raised planting bed is
going to cover. It can be done but you have to know what
you are doing. An example: mature magnolia. limbed up,
there is space for what you suggest. It is between the
trunk and feeder roots. Magnolias have shallow roots that
spread far. But if you have a tree that keeps its roots
close to the trunk this is not a good idea. It doesn't take
much additional soil to smother the roots. What is your
tree? How old is it? What zone are you in? With some more
information we can be more help.
Zhan

[C. A. Owens]

Doctor Who wrote:
>
> Is there any potential harm to trees that have a slightly raised bed
> around them? Since there is no grass imediately around some of the
> larger trees in my yard, I was considering planting some sort of
> shade-loving plants in a raised bed around them. Perhaps make a
> circular bed with sandstones. Would having the soil/mositure up a
> little ways in the trunk of the tree hurt it?

A much more relevant issue is whether the tree is one with surface
roots. If so, putting in a raised bed can kill it.

Chris Owens

[NAearthMOM]

I have a raised bed around a blue juniper in my backyard. It has
pansies around it now but soon I will have to put some caladiums or impatiens
in. It will get too hot for the pansies.
I also put rocks around the edging so the soil doesn't flit away.
Love Caryn
"Come into my garden, my flowers want to meet you!"

[Doctor Who]

zhan...@mindspring.com (Zhanataya) wrote:

>On Sun, 06 Jun 1999 19:30:31 GMT, y...@yesindeed.com (Doctor

>Who) wrote:
>
>>Is there any potential harm to trees that have a slightly raised bed
>>around them? Since there is no grass imediately around some of the
>>larger trees in my yard, I was considering planting some sort of
>>shade-loving plants in a raised bed around them. Perhaps make a
>>circular bed with sandstones. Would having the soil/mositure up a
>>little ways in the trunk of the tree hurt it?
>

>That really depends on the age of the tree, where the feeder
>roots are, and how much area your raised planting bed is
>going to cover. It can be done but you have to know what
>you are doing. An example: mature magnolia. limbed up,
>there is space for what you suggest. It is between the
>trunk and feeder roots. Magnolias have shallow roots that
>spread far. But if you have a tree that keeps its roots
>close to the trunk this is not a good idea. It doesn't take
>much additional soil to smother the roots. What is your
>tree? How old is it? What zone are you in? With some more
>information we can be more help.
>Zhan

The tree's age is unknown, as I just moved here. It is around eight
inches thick at the base. It is a Sycamore (spelled wrong most
likely) tree and doesn't have any roots above the ground. Lately I
have noticed that this tree's leaves are curled up on the edges and
several have died and fallen off. I wonder now if it has a disease or
something. I am totally unfamiliar with these trees. As for the
zone, it is the lower portion of zone six I believe. I don't have a
chart handy, but I think that was it. western Arkansas.

[Gary Matson]

It's almost always a bad idea to mound dirt over the 'root flare' at the
base of a tree. The junction of trunk and roots is kind of a sensitive
area for trees. You might get the same visual effect by placing some
stones around to look at, but just planting some shrubs or perennials
behind the rocks to provide visual bulk without needing to add soil to the
tree base. Even mulch is recommended to be kept a little distance from the
trunks of trees so as to provide air circulation for that critical root
flare area.
--
Gary Matson Far Northern California
ISA Certified Arborist
http://www.plantstogo.com
Adapted Plants for Hot Summer Climates

[Gary Matson]

[eljay]

I've heard that you shouldn't plant anywhere in the drip zone of a tree.
This is where any rain would drip off the leaves onto the ground beneath the
tree. Around the base of the tree should be ok. Check with your extension
service and find out what they recommend.

Linda

[T]

The fibrous roots that are found at the end of the root systems are the ones
you have to be most careful about...They do basically all the nutrient and
water uptake...damage these and you damage the plant.

But these ends of the roots can extend much farther out than the dripline of
the tree. One study I read said up to 2.5-3 times the distance from the
trunk to the dripline depending on species.

I'd recommend doing a little exploratory digging to identify where the major
and fibrous roots are to plan you bed...and yes the drip line is a good
place to start.