How to Build Stone Pavers Around a Tree

Walk to the trunk of the tree and measure 3 feet out from it. Draw a line in the dirt or grass and repeat the process around the perimeter of the trunk to create marks every 3 to 4 feet. Lay a rope directly on top of the marks to form the circle pattern. Walk around the rope and spray beside it using spray chalk to create a line.

Move the rope aside and dig a trench on top of the chalk line that is 4 inches deep and 5 inches wide.

Level out the bottom of the trench by inserting a carpenter’s level into it and ensuring that the air bubble centers. Dig out additional soil as needed around the perimeter until it is level.

Fill the bottom of the trench with 1 to 2 inches of paver base, which is fine sand. Smooth the top of the paver base until it is level.

Compact the paver base using a hand tamper. To use the tamper, place the flat bottom in the trench and hit the bottom of the trench by lifting and dropping the tamper.

Place one of the stone pavers into the trench and tap it gently with a rubber mallet to settle it. Place another paver directly next to the first one and tap the top of it with a rubber mallet to level it with the first one. Continue installing pavers around the circle until you reach the starting point.

Install a second layer of stone pavers, if desired, using the same method. Stagger the pavers in the second row so each paver sits across the seam between two pavers underneath. Add as many rows as you desire, but do not exceed the paver manufacturer’s maximum recommended height.