How deep should the dirt be around the base of a mature tree?

Question

I have flower boxes made of landscape timbers around the trees? Is this good or negative for the tree and why? The dirt in them is about 8-10" deep.

Answer 1

A plant's roots must have oxygen to function. Without oxygen at the roots, a plant will die. Generally it is recommended that you place no more than 2-3" of additional soil over the top of existing tree roots. More than this and you cut off the oxygen to the tree's roots and the tree will die a slow death. If you have 8-10" of top soil over your tree roots, then this is a problem.

Also, do not push additional soil up onto the tree's trunk. Roots have an additional waxy material that allows them to be buried and not rot. Trunks do not have as much of this material and, therefore, the bark will rot if soil is piled on a tree's trunk. Removing the soil from the tree's trunk would be advised. Good luck with your trees and garden.

Answer 2

Many trees are fussy about their base and don't like it buried.
Try pulling the dirt away from the base, back to where it was before you buried it. An inch or two of potting soil probably won't hurt it but 8"-10" may. It may not be an issue since most soils heave up around the base of the tree, which means you may have only buried the base a couple of inches anyway.

Answer 3

TRAVIS WON'T LET ME BORROW THE SUPER SCOAP 6