Second above. put a later of compost and then natural mulch (shredded hardwood, not stained) in a large circle around the base. Thats it. No mulch volcanos.

I see these tree rings all the time but I’ve never seen an attractive one. Plants don’t do well and the tree roots heave bricks out of alignment so they end up willy-nilly. Then they look like heck.

Be very sure to keep from piling anything against the tree trunk or on its roots. And be aware you will have difficulties planting things amongst the roots as well as have trouble keeping them watered. Trees are very thirsty.

The larger the tree ring, the better. Like at least an 8’ circumference, so you can get away from the tree roots for your actual planting area.

littlebug..I agree with you about tree rings..

cheryl..please don't install a tree ring around your tree..unhealthy for the tree..

If you have hostas, dig up some of the smll shoots with small roots aand plant them around the base of the tree. You want small and short roots so yu don't aave to dig much. The roots willfind spaces to grow in.

Nicholsworth, Stephanie, Littlebug, and FFpalms, 

Thank you very much. ❤. Can you please give us suggestions for that area of the  yard? The tree is the center of the yard, directly in front of the patio. We wanted a tree bench, then we thought about a floating deck. Both were not good ideas because of the tree roots.  Thanks again. I look forward to your feedback.  Have a great day.  Thanks again.

we've planted understory trees, shrubs and perennials all over the lot but away from the mature trees..leaving space around each plant allows each plant light, rain and nutrients..

I use pots where I don't want to dig..

there's basal flare and no mulch by every tree..

fyi..grass won't grow here..

You could remove a circle of grass and put down mulch. If the pocket book allows a circle bench around the tree would be a nice shady spot to sit in the summer. Just make sure it isn't tight up against the tree trunk.

A circular bench around the trunk wouldn't affect the roots. It would have no contact with them. Or just place an ordinary garden bench beneath the tree. The grass looks healthy and the root flare looks attractive. I see no reason to add anything other than somewhere to sit. Maybe widen the bed along the fence and plant it up to make a more interesting backdrop and provide more privacy.

I did a tree ring and it looks great. I added black multch. As mentioned above dont do a volcano since that can be bad for the tree and looks ugly. Good luck!

^^^ That's NOT a tree ring!! It's just a mulch ring. Very different from a solid, mini-retaining wall surrounding a tree and filled with a dangerous layer of soil. Mulch will not kill a tree - it's a good thing. But even adding only 2 inches of garden soil or topsoil to the area surrounding the base of a tree can deprive the roots of oxygen and smother them, eventually killing the tree.

granted this mulch is too thick..but even if thinner I think it's ugly..my tress are as healthy as anyone's and have only leaf litter as mulch..

^^^ But your trees are not competing with a lawn :-) That makes a huge difference and why mulch circles are suggested.

Completely different situations often require different approaches. The same shoe does not fit everyone.

Tree ring /ring of mulch, posters are just giving the OP ideas on what could be done under the tree and what doesn't work well.

This is the maple in my front yard. It has ground covering. I use the seat and side table a lot when working in the front yard. It seems like the older I get the more water breaks I take while gardening. Lol Up at camp we have a ring of mulch around the trees so we can cut the lawn around the tree with the tractor and not have to use a weed wacker.

nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis,how do you keep the shredded leafs from blowing away when dry? Lord knows I have enough leaves to use.

Cheryl, I’ve just looked again and see patches of bark peeling off your tree. It might be sensible to get the tree checked by an arboricultural professional. Btw, personally I prefer the look of a tree in grass than in a mulch ring. And if you must have mulch please let it be natural, not coloured, not even black.

Omgoodness, we so appreciate your input. Though some views are opposing, I feel your passion for what's best for the tree. Thank you very much Floral, Function..., Gardendale, Nicholsworth, Rogelio. Stephanie, Littlebug, FFpalms,  and Sigrid. Looks like we'll look into a bench and/or hostas. And I will contact Extension Service regarding the health of the tree. Enjoy your afternoon.  ❤

Here’s a photo of hostas beneath the tree as sigrid suggested. It may take a while to grow in, though, so lots of weeding would be involved.

Large groundcover beds around trees minimixe grass in shady areas. · More Info

Abother approach would be to focus on your border plantings and let the tree stand alone. It looks like you are able to grow grass there.

Design around existing trees · More Info

This is what the tree and surrounding area look like in the summer. There are other large trees around the yard. but this tree is directly in the middle of the yard and in front of the patio seating area. As I mentioned we just wanted to do something decorative around/near the tree.

sorry cheryl....I admit I'm a passionate opinionated gardener that dislikes mulch circles and raised beds around trees..but everyone of course makes their own gardening choices..good luck..

functionthenlook..my yard's wooded..I don't have wide open spaces..I think my leaves get caught under my multitude of plants and don't blow much..

Functionthenlook, blowing leaves is a way of life for us. The leaf blower works well with fall and spring cleanup. Best wishes.

cheryl celestin,, yep blowing leaves are a way of life. Most of ours are picked up with the lawn tractor. I was asking nickolsworth how she used shredded leaves as mulch without blowing away.

Maybe you could hang container plants from your tree limbs, at a good height to be viewed from your patio.

Thank you FFpalms. I love that idea. Have a great day.

Thank you for the suggestion.  Never made a flower basket before. I'm looking forward to the plants filling in the basket. Thanks again.

So lovely! What a nice idea to add solar lights so you can appreciate them in the evening.