Clark... wrote:
CathyLee wrote:
the roots of the trees are exposed
Will it hurt the trees to add 1-2 feet of soil around them so I can
mow around them?

CathyLee



Don't listen to these guys, I bury my tree's all the time!
works great with the few remaining black walnut trees I have and
it keeps down the 10" pine sticks of doom!

Clark...

Why in the hell do you think the trees put roots at or above ground
level? So they can breathe and absorb nutrients. IT WILL EVENTUALLY KILL
THE TREE!
This is an excerpt from:
http://extension.missouri.edu/explor...ulture0009.htm

First, the reason why the roots are growing on the surface is that the
soil is shallow and there is no way for the roots to go but up, when
they increase in diameter. Maples are the most common culprits, but many
tree species will do the same thing. People often ask whether the roots
can simply be cut off near the trunk or whether they can be covered by
soil to allow mowing under the tree. My answer is that neither of these
options is good for the tree. Cutting off a main root will cause serious
stress, since it may remove up to 30 or 40 percent of the root system
immediately. Covering the roots with more than 3 or 4 inches of top soil
may suffocate the roots near the surface or, if the new soil has a high
clay content it may suffocate cells in the bark of the roots, leading to
root rot problems. Also, this is a temporary fix, since the roots will
continue to increase in diameter and eventually push their way to the
surface again through the added soil.

So, what to do. In my opinion, the answer is to stop fighting mother
nature. Nobody mows under trees in the woods. I recommend mulching the
entire area under the tree and planting shade tolerant perennials such
as Epimedium, Pulmonaria, Ferns and Hostas in pockets of soil between
the roots. A limited amount of soil can be brought in, but not more than
a few inches in depth. Ground covers such as English ivy can also be
used to reduce maintenance requirements. Plants under the tree canopy
will have to be watered frequently due to competition from tree roots,
but in the end, the area will have a nice, woodsy feel to it. And, there
will be less lawn to mow.

Chris Starbuck
State Extension Specialist
Woody Ornamentals