If I raise the level of soil at the base of a tree will the tree suffer?

United Kingdom

We are leveling our garden which means raising the soil by about 1m on one side and lowering the other. At the end of the garden we have a beautiful Prunus Niger which I would hate to loose but we do wish to raise the soil level by 1m in this area. Is there something that I should be doing to ensure that we don't loose it? Our soil is very sandy and tree gets plenty of light. Lindsay, Farnham

16 May, 2009

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Answers

Seaburngirl

I wouldnt build soil that high. the way the trunk takes in air will be affected. I know privet dies if you raise the soil by 2" over its root/stem junction.

16 May, 2009

Spritzhenry

I have seen a garden where they built a wall and didn't want to lose a precious shrub, so they left it in a hole with wooden sides - a bit like a sunken open container. It seems to have worked.

16 May, 2009