Boxing in a 46 yr old Oak?

100garza · 9th June 2010, 02:16 PM

Hi,

I'm new to this but thought I'd give it a try

I have a 46 yr old Oak that I have a small brick ring around. I plant annuals every year around it but there's hardly any room to add topsoil so I am looking at putting a stone wall around it. I've heard many people say not to do this as it will kill the tree which I definitely don't want to do.

I was going to create a stone wall about 10" high and go out about 3' from the tree. The base of the tree to the lawn is at an angle so that's why I want to go out 3' (so it's flat ground where the wall would be.

I've looked at another post and saw some ideas of putting flowers in logs around the tree, but with the slope from the tree to the lawn the logs would be 3' away and I dont think it would look nice.
Here's are close up & distant pics. You can open the link to get a better view.

Any suggestions or advice would help.
Thanks,
Laurie

Therrin · 9th June 2010, 03:02 PM

Did you happen to stumble across any of the posts which mention mulching for groundcover out to the canopy's dripline, or about not compacting the soil?

Those would be excellent threads to read!

Quote:

I've heard many people say not to do this as it will kill the tree which I definitely don't want to do.

But.....???? You're going to do it anyway right?

treeshaveneeds · 9th June 2010, 05:25 PM

Generally the tree roots go out a lot further than the dripline.
But more importantly, most roots (in clay soil) are within the top 6-12 inches of the soil. Installing brick walls negatively affects the water transfer from the soil thru the roots up the tree.
Brick walls might look nice, aesthetically pleasing and all, but groundcovers under the tree help the tree a whole lot more. And then, assuming the groundcover is NOT grass, there's is no need to mow next to the trunk - risk damaging the trunk - and the tree will live a whole lot longer, and all your neighbours will be impressed you're so wise about tree health.

Eric Frei · 9th June 2010, 08:52 PM

Why cant you underplant without fill?

100garza · 10th June 2010, 12:51 AM

I will check out other posts, thanks to all that replied.
And to answer your question Therrin....

No, I am not going to do it, that's why I came on this site, to get advice.
I just had the tree thinned and fertilized, and I do really care about the tree.

I thought that if I went out far enough with the wall, and didn't dig into the ground more than an inch or two, maybe it may work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therrin

But.....???? You're going to do it anyway right?

TreeSpecialist · 10th June 2010, 06:12 AM

"Boxing it in" is a good way to kill it slowly. It's also job security for future arborists to try to correct.

Never raise the soil on the trunk of a tree. Don't plant beneath a tree - either the tree won't like or the plantings won't like it - or both.

Do you ever see "annuals" growing under trees in a forest? There's a reason for that.

9th June 2010, 02:16 PM	#1
100garza I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: MD Posts: 2	Boxing in a 46 yr old Oak? Hi, I'm new to this but thought I'd give it a try I have a 46 yr old Oak that I have a small brick ring around. I plant annuals every year around it but there's hardly any room to add topsoil so I am looking at putting a stone wall around it. I've heard many people say not to do this as it will kill the tree which I definitely don't want to do. I was going to create a stone wall about 10" high and go out about 3' from the tree. The base of the tree to the lawn is at an angle so that's why I want to go out 3' (so it's flat ground where the wall would be. I've looked at another post and saw some ideas of putting flowers in logs around the tree, but with the slope from the tree to the lawn the logs would be 3' away and I dont think it would look nice. Here's are close up & distant pics. You can open the link to get a better view. Any suggestions or advice would help. Thanks, Laurie Attached Thumbnails

9th June 2010, 05:25 PM	#3
treeshaveneeds Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,399	Re: Boxing in a 46 yr old Oak? Generally the tree roots go out a lot further than the dripline. But more importantly, most roots (in clay soil) are within the top 6-12 inches of the soil. Installing brick walls negatively affects the water transfer from the soil thru the roots up the tree. Brick walls might look nice, aesthetically pleasing and all, but groundcovers under the tree help the tree a whole lot more. And then, assuming the groundcover is NOT grass, there's is no need to mow next to the trunk - risk damaging the trunk - and the tree will live a whole lot longer, and all your neighbours will be impressed you're so wise about tree health.

9th June 2010, 08:52 PM	#4
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Boxing in a 46 yr old Oak? Why cant you underplant without fill? __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

10th June 2010, 06:12 AM	#6
TreeSpecialist Mature tree Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 373	Re: Boxing in a 46 yr old Oak? "Boxing it in" is a good way to kill it slowly. It's also job security for future arborists to try to correct. Never raise the soil on the trunk of a tree. Don't plant beneath a tree - either the tree won't like or the plantings won't like it - or both. Do you ever see "annuals" growing under trees in a forest? There's a reason for that. __________________

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