Boulderscaping

[sfischbach]

I want to try to create something I saw in a*home & garden show but have never done landscaping with boulders before.* I'd like to plant a birch tree, several bushes & perennials all about 3 feet above ground and incorporate 18 in boulders within it.* What material do you use to backfill?* Compost?* Also is there anything used to stabilize a new tree?* I've only planted them below ground (ie compacted soil) and I'm wondering if the compost would be too light to support a tree root ball.

[Newt]

Hi Sfischbach,

Just using compost would be too unstable for a berm.* You will need a combination of materials.* Here's how to build a berm.* You can always add 3" to 4" of compost to the top of the soil and mix it in the entire planting area once the berm is constructed.
http://landscaping.about.com/gi/dyna...l%5Fberms.html

You can stake your trees for 6 to 12 months.* They will need to sway a bit in the wind to strengthen their roots.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1141.html

Newt