Need help correcting big problem

[just_julie]

Years ago, the previous homeowner installed a planting bed around the tree in our front yard. In the last 3ish years, the roots coming through the lawn have gotten worse and it's becoming an eyesore. The rocks around the tree were loose and a child fell a few days ago while walking on them. We want to move in a few years so I need to tackle this now.

I have attached a few pictures of what's going on. It's a mess and I hope we don't have to cut down the tree. It's the last one in the neighborhood to change color in the fall and it's really lovely. It also shields the home in the afternoon.

The trunk is 44 inches around. I read somewhere that it's possible to cut out roots that are far enough away from the tree. following the suggested math, that isn't possible here. My neighbor suggested putting down new soil to grade everything. I'm also thinking about building a wooden structure around it to hide everything. I think another option might be planting ground cover.

Any input appreciated!

 

[treeseer]

I'd value the tree more than the grass near the tree and put the rocks back and kill the grass out to the exposed roots.
Then in fall, move the rocks out to that line, rake out the old mulch to the rocks, then spread new mulch to total >2" deep.
The stem-girdling root should be pruned in the fall, see attached, best done by an experienced arborist.

 

[just_julie]

Thank you for responding, treeseer. The biggest eyesore is/was the rocks around the tree. Some were cemented together and others would constantly roll off the pile. The large mound around the tree is a solid mass of dirt, old mulch and roots. It's not something that can be pulled back with a rake. There are hostas growing in it as well. I can stand on it and it doesn't budge.

We will find an arborist. In the meantime, should I put everything back? Would it be ok to put a single row of rocks back, not stacking any? A lot of that mound would be left exposed if I didn't put all of them back. I'm assuming I should not add any more mulch to the situation now.

I will definitely raise the mower blade this year so we don't cut anything. There is a root not pictured that has been sliced a few times.

 

[stltreedr]

I don't see any girdling roots in the pics. You would be fne to put some/ all of the rocks back around the planter.
If I'm reading this correctly, the only issue is the eyesore of roots in the lawn and the rocks. In that case, as the seer mentioned, just make a larger mulch ring. slope the edges of the current planter with a spade, and mulch away.

 

[Raintree]

I would ditch the stones altogether. The tree will benefit most by turning the hole front yard into one big mulch bed. Containment of this bed is the real challenge. It needs to be appropriate to the neighborhood, add value to your property and keep the mulch off the sidewalk. A landscape architect designing a nice tree-friendly hard scape is ideal.

 

[woodchuck357]

I think I can see at least one girdling root, but there are for sure others. Beds around trees create a climate that encourages that type of root growth. After that problem is investigated and corrected, I would use the exposed root ball as a guide and add topsoil to make a gradual graded slope and plant shade tolerant grass. Do not add any mulch or soil over the roots near the tree trunk.

 

[DR. P. Proteus]

Don't let it get to big!

I agree the root system needs a little work spread out over time to let those roots die off and allow others to grow but also look at the crown and possibly have it reduced.

 

[just_julie]

I'm not a huge fan of the rock circle. I've been scouring the internet all day for ideas to change things up looks-wise, while not doing any further damage to the tree. I do like the idea of a much larger mulch bed but maintaining it scares me. Our house faces west and it seems like we wind up with every leaf in the cul-de-sac on our front lawn. I discovered Gabion baskets and those are interesting.... possible footings for a bench to go around the tree?

I think we're going to have to find a landscape architect, too. My sister suggested planting ivy or vinca under the tree... any thoughts on that? Also, we have a lot of shredded tire mulch in the back yard, left over from underneath an old playset we gave away last summer. Would moving some of that around the tree be a bad idea? It's pretty old rubber mulch.

Thanks again for the input, I really appreciate it!

 

[Raintree]

I'm guessing the tree is a Red Maple or a Hybrid. Crown deducing pruning is not advised and ether is root die off, whatever that means. This tree at maturity will over whelm it's location, growth regulators are a good option in this situation.

Rubber mulch? Run away, run away!!

 

[stltreedr]

View attachment 344367

yup- there she is.

 

[DR. P. Proteus]

I'm guessing the tree is a Red Maple or a Hybrid. Crown deducing pruning is not advised and ether is root die off, whatever that means. This tree at maturity will over whelm it's location, growth regulators are a good option in this situation.

Rubber mulch? Run away, run away!!

Well I guess I only assumed they would die when they had been cut and the dirt had been raked off the root crown but what do I know?

Originally I had only wanted to say not to let it get big and I should have stuck with that... whatever it means.

 

[treeseer]

Gabion baskets as bases for benches--nice idea!

Finding a landscape architect who understands arboriculture? Needle in a hayfield.

Reducing red maples is a fairly easy task.