Japanese Red Maple

[ecadams]

Hello Fellow Gardeners,

Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your expertise with me.

I have a very mature Japanese Red Maple in my front yard. The tree has a lot of exposed roots, especially around the trunk.

This beautiful tree is a key element of our front yard landscape, but is situated closely to our circular driveway. I had planned to build a stone circle (1 x 1 foot) around it and fill the circle in with top soil and then mulch.

I have received two contradictory pieces of feedback in regards to this. One gardener informed me that covering the roots wouldn't damage the tree. However, another gardener told me that the tree is taking in a great deal of oxygen through these roots so it would not be safe to cover them- in addition, the tree has been growing in this environment for so long that a change like this might also negatively impact the tree.

Is it safe for me to cover the roots of my Japanese Red Maple?

Your insight will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
--
Eric

[pruninggal]

The second gardener is right - it's detrimental to cover the root zone with too much soil. In general it smothers the tree. Lots of people don't realize that most trees have a pancake like root system, not a taproot. Building on top or disturbing the roots in any way will affect the tree.

I wouldn't do it ... sorry!

Katy

[ecadams]

Many thanks for responding Katy. I'll plant some pachysandras instead! :-)

[Bud]

You can cover the roots with mulch i.e. cedar bark mulch or other coarse bark type mulch.* As long as the mulch is coarse and allows oxydgen to pass thru it there is no way it can hurt the tree in fact it will probably help the exposed roots retain some moisture and protect them from the sun.* I wouldnt PILE ON the mulch tho, just enough to cover the roots.**