It looks lovely @februarysgirl Hope you find a way to resolve it, that suits your needs. My beds have been there for about 8 years, and I find most stuff I add does settle regardless of the type, but I top it up to a greater height, and virtually everything planted in the beds is planted at the level of the coping edge I put round mine. Once everything's growing, there isn't much soil to be seen, which also helps I need to lift a couple of pasqueflowers which have sunk a bit, but that's a lot easier than trees!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
So I was thinking, the plastic guards that wrap around young trees. If I cut a piece that would cover a couple of inches of the trunk, would that work OK?
I think the problem with that is you'd need to keep an eye on the trunks because they'll thicken up over time, and would compromise the trunks themselves. I was thinking more of a solid surround that you could put on the ground, about 6 inches to a foot away from the trunks. Paviours or bricks or similar, depending on the height you need. Even a little timber box, like a mini version of your sleepers. Lined on the outside to prevent rotting when the soil is up against it
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've bought a roll of willow edging to use but the more I look at it, the more I think it's not going to cut it. It's exceptionally flimsy and I don't think the "stakes" will go into the ground without breaking. Keeping an eye on the trunks wouldn't be an issue, I need to top up the beds annually anyway so I could just change it at the same time. Another alternative would be wrapping grafting tape around the area as it's waterproof and stretches. Annoyingly, I just threw a roll out.
I'd love to put some large rocks/slate around the trunk for a more rustic look but the garden centre I got mine from in the past no longer has any 🙁
hi @februarysgirl can I suggest you get a length of uPVC pipe from a builders or plumbers merchant in a suitable diameter 150mm soil pipe would be ok, cut this into rings 250 - 300mm high to suit the difference in soil level you need and length ways to split it so you can prise it open around your tree, sink it into the existing soil level a little and fill with 20mm gravel.
That would be a good idea @owd potter, especially as you could cut to size, but the point is to be able to add soil/compost to the bed without it touching the trunk, and raise the overall soil level as it drops. Putting gravel inside the pipe defeats the purpose. That section needs to be kept clear. Gravel wouldn't be as damaging as a load of wet soil, but it would be a bit dodgy. Left empty it would be great
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yeah @Fairygirl, a couple of thoughts on that. I imagine the aesthetic aspect is at least part consideration, hence februarygirl's suggestion to use rocks or slate at the base. Also, the empty void inside the pipe would be liable to fill with wind driven detritus, leaves etc. What would be needed ideally is a grating to suit the pipe diameter centre cut out to trunk size. Voila, both issues addressed.
Indeed @owd potter. Getting complicated though I expect an open pipe section as you describe would be fine, and @februarysgirl could just check every now and again to see that the inner part was clear of any debris that could be a problem.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If they made something like a tree collar for trees that weren't Christmas that'd be great! Should be able to work something out from the ideas you've all offered 🙂
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Hope you find a way to resolve it, that suits your needs. My beds have been there for about 8 years, and I find most stuff I add does settle regardless of the type, but I top it up to a greater height, and virtually everything planted in the beds is planted at the level of the coping edge I put round mine. Once everything's growing, there isn't much soil to be seen, which also helps
I need to lift a couple of pasqueflowers which have sunk a bit, but that's a lot easier than trees!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I was thinking more of a solid surround that you could put on the ground, about 6 inches to a foot away from the trunks. Paviours or bricks or similar, depending on the height you need. Even a little timber box, like a mini version of your sleepers. Lined on the outside to prevent rotting when the soil is up against it
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'd love to put some large rocks/slate around the trunk for a more rustic look but the garden centre I got mine from in the past no longer has any 🙁
can I suggest you get a length of uPVC pipe from a builders or plumbers merchant in a suitable diameter 150mm soil pipe would be ok, cut this into rings 250 - 300mm high to suit the difference in soil level you need and length ways to split it so you can prise it open around your tree, sink it into the existing soil level a little and fill with 20mm gravel.
Gravel wouldn't be as damaging as a load of wet soil, but it would be a bit dodgy. Left empty it would be great
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
a couple of thoughts on that. I imagine the aesthetic aspect is at least part consideration, hence februarygirl's suggestion to use rocks or slate at the base. Also, the empty void inside the pipe would be liable to fill with wind driven detritus, leaves etc.
What would be needed ideally is a grating to suit the pipe diameter centre cut out to trunk size.
Voila, both issues addressed.
I expect an open pipe section as you describe would be fine, and @februarysgirl could just check every now and again to see that the inner part was clear of any debris that could be a problem.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...