Building raised patio around tree

[bigslick7878]

Any tips? Anyone ever done it before?

Just planned on making one step up, tree roots aren't any more than a few inches above current grade and that is only right around the tree. Around the edge roots are non existent. Trunk is only about 3 foot diameter, maybe 30 foot high fully grown.

The tree will be near center and the perimeter of the patio will be a good 10ft away in all directions.

[Dr.NewEarth]

What type of tree? What type of building material?

I think it could put too much stress on the root zone and cause alot of tree problems.

If I had to build it, My preference would be a stilted wooden deck that mostly floats above the root zone and doesn't put weight on any lateral roots.

A paving stone patio would be a nightmare.

[tadpole]

Originally Posted by Dr.NewEarth

What type of tree? What type of building material?

I think it could put too much stress on the root zone and cause alot of tree problems.

If I had to build it, My preference would be a stilted wooden deck that mostly floats above the root zone and doesn't put weight on any lateral roots.

A paving stone patio would be a nightmare.

My first thoughts were also of the survival of the tree. Wooden deck sounds workable, anything else...risky.

[bigslick7878]

Brick patio > Wooden Deck.

[DVS Hardscaper]

never place any material (soil, gravel, sand, etc) above the crown of a tree.


.

[bigslick7878]

Originally Posted by DVS Hardscaper

never place any material (soil, gravel, sand, etc) above the crown of a tree.


.

And technically speaking how high or at what point on the tree would that be? We are only talking 8 inches height here, and I would leave a nice (say 2-3ft outside of trunk all the way around) area cut out around the base of the tree to let air and moisture get to it. Just put some mulch or a groundcover in that area.

[Dr.NewEarth]

The drip zone.

[DVS Hardscaper]

Crowns vary no straight answer possible.

If you are not familiar with a tree's crown - then this may be a job you should pass on.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Birchwood]

Originally Posted by DVS Hardscaper

Crowns vary no straight answer possible.

If you are not familiar with a tree's crown - then this may be a job you should pass on.
Posted via Mobile Device

My thoughts exactly, go back to cutting grass.

[bigslick7878]

Originally Posted by Birchwood

My thoughts exactly, go back to cutting grass.

I don't cut grass you moron.

If anyone has anything else to add that they didn't just google, feel free to do so. I can do that too, thought maybe someone had some actual experience. Obviously I was wrong.

By the way, since you all love to google try this...

http://www.google.com/search?q=patio...ient=firefox-a

Look at the images and get back to me.