Rocks around the base of trees

Dallas, TX(Zone 8a)

Hello -

I know very little about trees and have a question. I saw a young 3-4" caliper tree planted in a concrete sidewalk and the cutout in the sidewalk (about 3'x3') has been completely filled with large gravel up the trunk of the tree. Is this OK for the tree? It was an Oak Tree.

Thanks, Tracey

Illinois, IL(Zone 5b)

An oak tree planted in a 3x3 cutout will have more critical problems than the cobbles. Actually, using that solution will provide a dry surface and prevent the trunks from becoming infected with fungus, as they might if organic mulch was improperly mounded on the bark. But the tree will run out of root room soon, and will probably either fall over in a wind or die within a decade or two, depending upon growth rate.

Guy S.

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