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Possible to level a yard with fill and not kill all the trees?
Posted on 6/2/21 at 10:29 am
Posted on 6/2/21 at 10:29 am
So I have first hand experience with killing trees by bringing in fill dirt. I personally didn't do the work, but it was while our house was being built and it just didn't occur to me then. My backyard needs to be leveled very badly. I have 4-5 low spots that hold water and I want to get everything leveled but I have some nice trees back there and I want to keep them all. Is it possible to bring in fill dirt and not overly compact it to save the trees? Or is it one or the other?
8
Posted on 6/2/21 at 11:02 am to VanRIch
how does a bit of moderate leveling dirt kill mature trees?
Posted on 6/2/21 at 11:06 am to VanRIch
did you kill baby trees?
Posted on 6/2/21 at 11:30 am to VanRIch
How much fill you talking. Wouldn’t put much more than 2-3” around the trees. I would stay away from the packing.
Posted on 6/2/21 at 11:40 am to VanRIch
As a guide no more than 2 inches of fill should be added at one time, and once the near surface tree roots grow through/into the fill then as much as another 2 inches can be added, wash and repeat.
That said, if you are taking on a big project like this, pay a licensed arborist for an an hour or 2 of his time to provide you advice in regards on how to handle fill dirt around the trees - that will be $ well spent. .
That said, if you are taking on a big project like this, pay a licensed arborist for an an hour or 2 of his time to provide you advice in regards on how to handle fill dirt around the trees - that will be $ well spent. .
Posted on 6/2/21 at 11:41 am to VanRIch
2-3 inches deep within the drip edge. Sand, that is self draining, is best
This post was edited on 6/2/21 at 12:20 pm
Posted on 6/2/21 at 12:31 pm to Chad504boy
They’re not all mature. Some are young hardwoods. This area was wooded and I’ve cleared it out leaving all the trees except tallow and sweet gums.
Posted on 6/2/21 at 12:33 pm to VanRIch
2-3 inches of fill per year max is the recommendation. The larger the tree, the better adapted it will be to survive slightly more.
I went over the guidelines when I redid my front yard and the live oak survived. Some areas were significantly more than 2 inches. But I took a calculated risk. I knew it was possible the tree might not make it.
I went over the guidelines when I redid my front yard and the live oak survived. Some areas were significantly more than 2 inches. But I took a calculated risk. I knew it was possible the tree might not make it.
Posted on 6/2/21 at 12:46 pm to Chad504boy
I lost 11 mature trees by putting about 4” of fill within their drip line
Posted on 6/2/21 at 1:36 pm to gumbeaux
quote:
putting about 4” of fill within their drip line
so does the 4" not allow it to get watered like previously?
Posted on 6/2/21 at 2:52 pm to Chad504boy
quote:
so does the 4" not allow it to get watered like previously?
Too much soil over the existing near ground or capillary roots smothers the tree and it dies. Usually takes a year or two.
Posted on 6/2/21 at 3:02 pm to Chad504boy
quote:
If you apply too much fill over the roots of a tree, it blocks the ability of new oxygen to filter down into the soil. The roots use up the oxygen, and when it is not replenished, the roots suffocate and die. As they die, they stop absorbing the water the tree needs, and the tree eventually dies of thirst. This can occur agonizingly slowly over years or quickly over a few months. Or a tree could languish in a low state of vigor indefinitely.
While trees vary in their tolerance of fill, the amount considered safe to apply is two inches annually. Use a light sandy soil like river sand or pumped sand for filling. Dan Gill is a horticulturist with the LSU AgCenter.
LINK
Posted on 6/2/21 at 3:24 pm to VanRIch
Just saw the result of a renovation on a historic home kill a beautiful oak tree. Has to be 200+ year old. I know they don’t last forever but it’s a shame. Going to kill the look of the house when they have to cut it down.
Posted on 6/2/21 at 5:31 pm to Art Vandelay
It’s hard to believe they are so sensitive to this type of thing, but I’ve seen it with my own eyes. It can really be surprising.
Posted on 6/2/21 at 6:04 pm to VanRIch
So if someone wanted to kill two cypress trees on the city servitude in front of their house, all they would have to do is drop some dirt? Asking for a friend of course
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