The Tree and the Bricks

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

FJ asked a quesiton in the main area of this group about covering the trunk of the tree with dirt, how far out, will it kill the tree?

Here is a visual of our LAST outdoor project of the summer.

The Tree--The Mud--Starlit's love to dig and sleep spot.

Here is  the problem.  Want and need the shade but not the dirt. Sorry Starlit, but I promise to find another way to keep you cool.  This area used to be grassy.

Thought we could landscape it somehow and build a small garden. possibly an Amoeba shape of some sort around the tree.

Have this truck load of brick from FJ's old house..  that need to go somewhere and out of my driveway. 

 

I wanted them around the TREE.. FJ  is concerned it will kill the tree.

So what to do with bricks?  What to do with Starlit's outdoor bed of play mud?

The tree and the shade are the most important! 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We really have been looking, discussing this ALL Spirng and Summer.  We are just stumped and would welcome Help!

The old Dog Run was around this tree which killed the grass.   We replanted grass but it is not taking.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Even grass will do much better if seeded after September. You may need to add a little topsoil if there was a lot of urine and feces here. Of all the groundcovers, if you are mowing anyway, grass would be the easiest. I'm a big fan of tall fescue, it's tough, can take the shade and drought.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You recommended Fescue to me earlier this Spring.  I listened.  I have a 5lb bag, some used, in the garage.  It did do very well in the front yard where we planted a 70' by 3' strip all along the side.  

Will try more of it this fall.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good. I'm glad to hear it did well for you.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Welcome FJ. That tree has just the right amount of dirt around it. The root flare or whatever it's called should not be covered although landscaper's make mounds all the time around the base of trees. Those are nice pavers, don't throw them out! You could put some piled a couple high around and far from the tree and plant shade loving plants inside the area. But the plants should be dug in, not in an elevated bed here. Pachysandra is a wonderful ground cover but ny dogs do tend to rip it up in theis favored running paths. Here's just one site.Go to Dave's Garden site too. There are a gazillion. Take your time. Whatever you plant will do better and take less work if it's not so hot!

[Linda and Murphy]

Joanne, I LOVE your fence.

 

I don't know what kind of tree it is, but it looks a bit like an oak. Way down south we have a plant called a Cast Iron plant that loves shade. We plant it under oaks, because it is so hard to get anything to grow there. Don't know if it will tolerate your winters, though.  Another suggestion is to build a large circular bench (I'm thinking wood) around the tree. Also, down here, I love river sand for starting grass (less than an inch). It drains well, holds seed, etc.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Just checked. If it's the same plant that you meannt it would not be hardy in Ohio.

[Linda and Murphy]

Its from the lily family. Some are hardy to 5 degrees, so not for you.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Interesting Tree. And who would think it belongs to the Lily family?  Wow.

It scares me though.  It reminds me of the Weeping Willows where the roots are aggressive and will go blocks to find water--and fast.

As a child I can still hear my parents arguments and horror as our home filled up with 3 feet of water.  It was so severe and in those days the Fire Department was called out.   It was a Weeping Willow Tree a block down that caused the entire neighborhood to back up.  One tree, with aggressive roots.   The owners were ordered to cut it down, they refused.  It went to court.

 

Oh duh. I wrote all that out and you were talking about WHAT is UNDER the tree!  LOL

Oh and my tree is a White Oak.  A messy and brittle monster that provides enjoyable shade.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yup, that's the one I saw. Zone 7 I think.

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

You might check with your cooperative extension office. They can be really helpful about local trees and plant and might be able to give you some insight into how much of the root zone needs to be protected. Many of us live on small plots of land with huge trees the roots of those trees are under structures or get amputated when fences and block wall or outbuildings are constructed but different trees have different needs. You also need to consider how much stability the tree needs if you have some root die off, even if the tree is able to live - you don't want it to be unstable in a huge storm Good luck!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thank you Cindy.  Cooperative Extension Office?  Never heard of such a thing. I will certainly look that up in my area.+