6. DIY Brick Tree Ring
Give the mature trees in your yard the royal treatment by framing them with a beautiful, clean brick tree ring. A tree ring serves multiple purposes: it creates a neat, defined border that keeps lawn grass from encroaching on the tree’s root zone, protects the trunk from accidental damage caused by lawnmowers and weed whackers, and holds moisture-retaining mulch exactly where it is needed. It is a simple, high-impact landscaping project that instantly gives your entire yard a manicured, professional appearance.
When building a brick ring around a tree, it is vital to protect the tree’s root system. Avoid digging deep trenches that could sever major roots. Instead, gently scrape away the grass and a tiny amount of topsoil in a wide circle around the tree, keeping the ring at least two to three feet away from the trunk to allow for future growth. Lay a thin bed of sand to help level the bricks. Position your bricks side-by-side in a circular pattern, angling them slightly to form a smooth curve. You can lay them flat, stand them on end for a soldier course look, or tilt them at an angle for a charming scalloped effect. Fill the interior of the ring with a three-inch layer of organic wood mulch, making sure to keep the mulch from directly touching the bark of the tree trunk to prevent rot.