Here are the 9 steps we took in rebuilding an existing tree ring. Meeting with client beforehand discussing type of new border, new diameter ring size and new ring foundation being either level with sloping yard or level with house. In this case client wanted the new tree ring level with house. The photos below show the progress and the proper order of the new tree ring rebuild. Total working time on this project was roughly 6.5 hours. After picking up supplies that morning we arrive for the new tree ring rebuild.
STEP 1
To get the proper ring diameter we measured 24 inches between the trunk of the tree and the inside of the new border.
STEP 2
On the outside of the new tree ring border we stepped down on our V shaped shovel all the way around to create the new foundation outline. At this point we could clearly see the old plastic tree ring border.
We discovered the old tree ring was filled with white rocks. This was extremely disappointing the estimate we had given the client did not include removing rocks mixed in with grass and roots.
STEP 3
We start to remove the grass from the new foundation outline across to the old tree ring border. We had two buckets. We would take the clump of grass shake them in one bucket to get the good soil off to reuse later for fill dirt and in bucket two with the black bag we used for the grass and roots to throw away. Please note: Roughly 7 to 8 black bags were used in this process.
STEP 4
Protruding root balls needed to be cleaned of dirt and rocks before removal began. We used compressed air from our air tank.
This method worked very well. We used a chainsaw to cut out and remove the 4 protruding root balls.
STEP 5
All the saved fill dirt was put back in the tree ring and raked flat to help build up the new foundation. At this point we started the leveling process.
To help with the leveling process we started adding sand.
SPEY 6
We used our tamper tool and tamped down all the way around the foundation. We did this multiple times until satisfied.
Once again we checked for levelness. We repeated multiple times until we were completely satisfied the new foundation was level and hard.
SPET 7
We laid down our landscaping fabric and cut it to match the circle. We then replaced and refitted our new border. Using a 2x4 and our level we once again checked one last time making sure the new border was level.
STEP 8
After adding at least 4 to 5 bags of topsoil we used our hard rake to rake the topsoil smooth and flat. Please note: More topsoil was used on the street side of the circle. This was done to help hold the new border in place.
STEP 9
To complete this new boder project we added brown mulch.
