I want to raise the ground around an orange tree. Can I bury the trunk without hurting the tree?

Answer 1

I wouldn't go much more than 3 inches, the reason being that you are reducing the oxygen supply to surface feeder roots which have established themselves at the current level in your garden. You are risking upsetting the natural resources of the tree. And as mentioned, the trunk could rot at the level and below where the level would be raised. If you are talking about raising the level in the entire garden, simply get the brick-type pavers and create a fenced-in area of them surrounding the tree to the drip line, and raise the area of land beyond the tree. That way, the tree and its roots are relatively unaffected. Keep in mind that the roots grow about 50% beyond the drip line. Or, do what I did: I wanted to remove my lawn, as it was too high-maintenance. I simply put out landscape fabric and created a surface material of three-quarter-inch beach stone, about 2 to 3 inches deep. The air pockets between the stones don't interfere with the air needed by tree roots, it allows water to percolate through (including the landscape fabric), weeds are virtually eliminated, there's no more grass to cut, and it looks great! Did I mention that there's no more grass to cut? Did I! Oh, yeah, and there's no more grass to cut! I've gotten more compliments on my lawn replacement with decorative stone, than on any lawn. And I strategically placed beautiful boulders and low maintenance trees and shrubs where there was grass before. It looks awesome! I completed the front early this year, and just did the back. I will revel in all the time I will save by not weeding and cutting grass! Did I mention that I don't have to cut grass anymore! Anyway, if surrounding an established tree this way, just form a saucer with the stone, so it grades away from the tree, and leave a gap between stones and the trunk. And you can also place one of those manufactured tree barrier pads around the tree so that the stones are kept away from it. Good luck!

Answer 2

Some trees have their trunks grafted onto root stock when they are very small. This usually happens when the tree is of a dwarf variety. I had a peach tree like this. I'm in zone 5 by the way.

There was a lump where the graft was made, and I was told to not let soil cover this lump. If it did, roots would be sent out by the trunk and the "dwarf" nature of the tree would be gone.

I have no idea if this would apply to ANY orange tree or not, but it's a possibility... look for a bump at soil level that may indicate a graft took place.

If there isn't one there, I concur with the other answerer that burying the trunk too far could cause rot and allow disease to enter the tree.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

No, one should never change the soil level on the trunk of a tree. Can you not raise it but create a dip around the trunk itself?
Or, build a retaining wall of bricks, to the height you want, around the trunk leaving a good air space and fill soil outsied it to that level.

Answer 4

You can still raise the ground but leave an area around the trunk open. Like a donut.

Answer 5

Raising the soil around an existing fruit tree will put it at risk of getting Collar Rot.
I wouldnt recommend this at all.
Put some kind of boarder around the tree itself to raise your soil level too rather than raising the soil around the trunk.

Answer 6

You can only go up 4-5 inches. Anymore than that and you risk having the trunk rot underground.

Answer 7

The rule is 1 inch per year. More than that and you risk causing the tree to rot.

Answer 8

On no account should you do this, for all the reasons listed below. Give steviewag the 10 points - he specifies exactly what you need to know and why! Saved me the time!