How to Build a Circular Brick Wall Around a Tree

A raised brick wall around your tree offers an attractive space for mulch, seating or smaller, complementary plants. Brick walls also protect the tree and its roots from lawn-mowing and other landscaping activities. The keys to a practical and attractive brick wall are cutting the bricks properly and leaving adequate distance between the wall and the tree. While cutting bricks is time-consuming, the materials for this project are inexpensive and accessible everywhere.

String
Chalk
Shovel
Plate compactor
Gravel
Bricks
Circular saw
Construction adhesive
Safety goggles

Instructions

- 1
  Tie a piece of string loosely to the tree's trunk. Pull one end of the string at least three to six inches away from the tree. Walk around the tree while holding the string taut to measure an even circle. Mark the circle with chalk.
- 2
  Dig three or four inches into the soil underneath the circle. Level the surface of the hole with a plate compactor. Add two inches of gravel or bedding sand to the hole and level it with the plate compactor.
- 3
  Place a single layer of bricks in the hole to create the foundation layer. Face the wide end of the bricks outward as you lay them. Cut the bricks so they fit in a tight circle; mark on each brick the location where you need to cut. Use a circular saw to cut off the unnecessary bulk.
- 4
  Fill in the gaps on the inside and outside of the brick circle with gravel to secure the foundation. Add new layers of cut brick to build the wall. Use construction adhesive to affix each brick to the bricks below. Make sure that the seams between the bricks are never stacked vertically on top of each other.
- 5
  Leave the base of the trunk uncovered behind the brick wall. Add soil and mulch sparingly to allow breathing room for the tree's roots.

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