Flower bed around pine trees?

Due to server soil loss in my back yard while always damp due to the run off of rain, I decided to build a flower bed around several trees with landscaping wood (Home Depot). Since built with no dirt added yet it has done it's job to help out on the run off, but I was wondering if this will have any effect on the trees (Pine) once I do add soild/sand and so on. I seen no roots showing or damaged any during the process. In the front the measurement is about 20 inches high and on the back wall is about 27 inches due to the slopping that I have. Will this kill the trees, or do I need to build another barrier around the tree itself in order to not damage the trees or lower the wall as we have dogs!!!!!! My other concernis later on in the years will I have them end up on our house due to damage to the roots or trunk. Can anyone help me out here?? Thanks Kelly Just US Army retired and tons of things on the Honey Do list to do. Please e-mail me at stitzelk40@yahoo.com

Flower bed around pine trees?
Actually, at the depth you have the retaining bed (20 - 27 inches, is that right?) CAN harm the roots of the pine tree if you fill it up. Although you can't see them, the main root system is only around 18 inches deep. The spread is usually as large as the dripline, however, there are roots that travel farther out. If you put more than like 4 inches of soil on top of the tree roots, you can smother the roots, causing the death of the tree. It won't happen all at once, but it will happen. Trees are very prone to root compaction. If the roots are covered over, they can't transpire oxygen the way they are supposed to.


I have 2 very large pine trees on my property, and I am now looking at having to have them removed because I think they are dying. One is only 10 feet from the corner of the house and the other is 15 feet. The prevailing wind comes from that direction. If one of them decides to go, it will be on the house.





Edit: With the extra info you have given, you may have a bigger issue here. If the slope is in danger of washing down, you may need to have a professional come in and assess the situation, like a Landscape Architect, or a Landscape Engineer. The slope may have to be terraced or somehow supported, more than just worrying about the topsoil runoff. In a flood, if it is that close to the house, the whole house may be in danger if the hillside becomes saturated. Without seeing what you are talking about, it is hard to judge. At the very least, you will want to plant vegetation to help control the erosion on the WHOLE hillside, not just around the tree. But, it would probably be in your best interest to have a professional look at it. Yes, it costs money, but how much more will it cost if the tree falls on the house, or the hillside falls away from the house?
Reply:You shouldn't have to worry about the trees dying. Pine trees are pretty hardy. Just make sure you have enough drainage so water does not pond in the flower bed.
Reply:Doing anything to retain soil at the bases of tree, which is lost to run-off, is good, but I understand that flower beds are tough to grow in such deep shade as pines produce.





Have you considered using mulch (held in place by the landscaping you've already done) or a low-light ground cover plant (many ivies, periwinkle/vinca, etc.) rather than flowers? I'd hate to see you go to the trouble and expense for flowers that might not thrive.





Pines are notorious for coming down in high winds. They uproot far more easily than many trees, and their soft wood breaks, too. I've read many times that if you're putting in pines, plant them the number of feet from the house, plus ten more, than the tree's expected adult height. That way, if it does come down, it won't hit the building.





If you've already got the pines, you can top them (have the tops removed by tree surgeons) to make them a safe height, add stakes and wires every 10 feet or so of the tree's height, or take your chances--and keep your insurance up to date.