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Do I dig up a Cornus tree or create a hollow where a raised bed is planned?

Nicolapritchard111Nicolapritchard111 Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Hi,

Looking for some advice on the best course of action for a couple of small trees. I plan to raise the height of a border by approximately 15cm, essentially creating a terrace rather than a slope which water runs off too fast. However,  I already planted two small trees about four years ago, one of which is a Cornus, the other I'm not sure, but both are well established and about 1.5 - 2m tall. I am worried that when I raise the height of the soil, the bottom of the trunks may rot and the upppermost roots will be buried too low. Could I create a sort of hollow around the immediate base and maybe build it up slowly over a few years? Or, would it be possible to dig the trees up and replant about 15cm higher? Would they survive?? Any advice welcome...

Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    If they have been planted that long I wouldn't dig them up. I thought you could raise the soil level by 5cm a year but I had this problem too so i just put a ring of stones about 30cm away from the tree and raised the level outside.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    What sort of Cornus.?  Something on its own roots like the ones used for coloured stems you can build up the soil around it. Something like a grafted Cornus kousa chinensis you can't build up above the graft.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Other than the graft issue above, the main issue is access to oxygen at the roots. You could build up the levels year on year to allow the roots to adapt to being more deeply buried, or create a dished area around the root zone, or build up the level within the root zone using something open such as gravel or cobbles.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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