Landscaping With Timbers Around a Tree

Landscaping around trees can be challenging especially if they are a tree variety with many surface roots. The surface roots make it difficult to grow grass because they take up so much water while the tree shades the grass, preventing it from getting enough sunlight. It is even more difficult to keep the grass and weeds mowed if the roots are spreading above ground. One way to deal with the problem is the landscape around the tree with timbers, creating a grass-free, no mow zone.

Sod removal tool
Measuring tape
6-by-6-inch landscape timbers, 6
Saw
Cardboard boxes
Box cutter
2 1/2-inch galvanized screws
Drill with Phillip's head bit
Shovel
Mulch
Wheelbarrow

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the sod in the area you intend to landscape with the sod removal tool. Press the blade through the top of the sod, press down on the handle until the blade is horizontal with the ground and positioned just under the main mass of the sod and shove the tool forward to break the roots free from the ground. Set the sod aside and water it in case you need to replace or reuse it elsewhere.
- 2
  Cut both inside corners off all six of the landscape timbers at a 60-degree angle. It doesn't matter which edge you choose to be the interior edge, just be consistent on each individual timber.
- 3
  Place six landscape timbers, end to end, around the tree with the tree centered in the middle. Set the timbers so that the inside corners touch and each timber is parallel to the one on the opposite side of the tree.
- 4
  Break down your cardboard boxes so that they form a flat sheet; the sheet normally has flaps that were the top and bottom of the box. Cut the flaps off with a box cutter and keep them.
- 5
  Move the landscape timbers a few inches back and cover the bare ground where you removed the sod with the cardboard. Overlap the cardboard at least an inch or two at each interface. It's better to use too much than too little cardboard. Place the landscape timbers back into position.
- 6
  Drill two 2 1/2-inch galvanized screws into each corner of your hexagon to secure the timbers together. Imagine a straight line intersecting the joint between the two timbers and insert the screw along that axis, not straight into the edge of the board.
- 7
  Fill the space inside the timbers with mulch. Pull the mulch back away from the tree trunk so it doesn't touch it. Leaving the mulch against the trunk can cause the tree to rot and invite insects and rodents to damage the tree.
- 8
  Cut away any cardboard that is sticking outside of the landscape timbers and compost it.

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