On 18 Apr 2005 18:17:14 -0700, "MMoniker" wrote:

Hi all! Question for you regarding an 80-foot oak I have..... Over the
years the grass that has been under the tree has receeded, leaving bare
dirt around the base of the tree. This isn't problematic and is
probably good in that weedwackers aren't messing with the trunk.
However I see the dirt is eroding around the tree and I'm wondering if
I should put a few inches of top soil or something around the base to
compensate for the erosion? It just looks to me like something negative
might be setting up to happen here over the years and as this is a
really big and grand old tree (almost 3 foot diameter trunk, much wider
at base) I want to take good care of it!

Are you sure that erosion is happening? Sometimes the root flares
"bulk up" so that the tops push above the soil line. That could look
like erosion.

The working part of the roots is way out from the trunk, at the
dripline and beyond. Those are the little tiny hairs that do all of
the nutrient absorption. The rest of it is just plumbing and needs
soil only for structural support.

I would leave it alone. The tree sounds like it is doing just fine.

JMHO

John