How to Make Tree Rings for Fruit Trees

Make a Watering Ring

• 1

  Use a rake or shovel to level the soil around the fruit tree with the existing grade.

• 2

  Cover the soil, from 6 inches away from the tree's trunk to 1 foot beyond its drip line, with 3 inches of mulch. Spread it in a circle around the fruit tree.

• 3

  Build a ring out of wet soil, at the outside edge of the mulch. Use topsoil or bring in soil from another part of the garden. The ring should be 5 inches tall and 6 inches thick. Pack the ring with your hands to keep it in place as you form it around the fruit tree.

• 4

  Fill the ring with water every time you irrigate the fruit tree.

Make a Decorative Ring

• 5

  Dig a trench around the tree where you want to place the tree ring. The depth of the trench depends on the size of edging you use, but generally it should be 4 to 6 inches in depth and 8 to 12 inches wide.

• 6

  Tamp the soil at the bottom of the trench so that it’s firm.

• 7

  Place the edging in the trench, so that the front edge abuts the front edge of the trench. Use the carpenter’s level to ensure that the ring is level. Use a rubber mallet to pound down any edging that is too tall and add paving sand under any that are too short.

• 8

  Add paving sand or soil around the inside edge of the ring to hold the edging in place.