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.
Can you backfill around a tree?
Unless you want a dead tree on your hands, take special care if you plan to add fill dirt around one of your mature trees. Adding fill dirt to your lawn can help improve the layout and overall structure of your property, but it may also permanently harm a mature tree's root system.
How do you landscape around a tree without killing it?
How Do You Landscape Around a Tree?
- Raising the soil level enough to cover the exposed roots (without covering the tree's root flare).
- Mulching the area with three to five inches of organic mulch.
- Providing the tree with more frequent deep waterings (this encourages roots to grow deep).
