You just need to explain to the customer it a bad situation all around to try and do a patio that close to a tree. When ever I explain to someone these types of issues, I try to reassure them that I want them to get the best results for the money spent, and they usually get it.

1.) Leaf Staining
2.) Bird Cr*p
2.) Movement from roots
3.) Any excavating around the tree could potentially kill the tree.

You need to talk here into putting it somewhere out closer to the dripline where it would be in a more sustainable area.

Then I would incorporate a shade garden with a wondering flagstone path between the patio and tree. Something less permanent that can be moved and repositioned easily over time.

Shoot some pics and post them.

 

Tell them to get rid of the tree, it is destroying the yard. The tree probably drops debris all year round too. Out with the old, in with the new. I don't like the job by the sound of it already. You could probably break your ankle walking around all those exposed tree roots, lol. Just tell the customer that those tree roots are going to damage their foundation one day. They will have the tree cut down by tomorrow, such a beautiful tree......

 

One job like that was done actually by the HO himself. He placed the stone along and in between the roots. The roots became part of the new level surface. After 4 years, it still looks good...

 

One job like that was done actually by the HO himself. He placed the stone along and in between the roots. The roots became part of the new level surface. After 4 years, it still looks good...

That's a pretty good idea too.

I think it all comes down to what the customer wants for a patio too. If she's looking for a simple area to sit in occasionally then the flag would work.

But, if she's wanting a fully constructed, level flag patio for entertaining and such, then it's going to be hard to build something that will hold it's shape for a long period of time.

 

thanks guys, but the guy wants a flagstone patio to go and hang out around fairly frequently. Most of all, he wants a firepit. He told me if the patio had to be smaller, he wanted a firepit nonetheless haha. There really is no other place where the patio could go in the back yard because of its size, and cutting down the tree isn't an option. Its downtown, and the way the people are down there, they will probably kick me and him out of the state for even thinking of cutting down a tree like that. Plus, that would kill his budget and then he would have no tree, AND no patio. Im going to explain to him the extremity of the tree and the situation/problem it presents, and tell him the best I can do is raise the patio up with topsoil, then do 4" base and 2" sand, then lay the flag on top, and hope for the best. It should last pretty good for several years, but after that I cant promise him anything. We shall see........

 

Im going to explain to him the extremity of the tree and the situation/problem it presents, and tell him the best I can do is raise the patio up with topsoil, then do 4" base and 2" sand, then lay the flag on top, and hope for the best. It should last pretty good for several years, but after that I cant promise him anything. We shall see........

Several years.....probably not. I'd say it will shift in 3. A fire pit will probably scorch the tree above the pit also.

6 inches of material over existing roots is not a good thing. Do you want to be ran out of the state for taking down a tree or ran out of state for killing a tree.

I'd give you maybe a 25% success rate on this project. Some may say 15%. There are way to many variables that are out of your control.

Your funeral, just decide how you want people to mourn you.

 

they will probably kick me and him out of the state for even thinking of cutting down a tree like that.

I am just going to be sarcastic here.......

A tree like that? The thing has run its course, it is over for that tree, at least that is what I do here in Jersey.

Just replace it with a new one. Seriously, the tree is a hazard already, just waiting to fall during the next storm a possibly injure someone.

 

Just because a tree is 75-100yrs old doesn't mean its ran its course.
skip the topsoil process, that will smother the roots. Keep the patio at least 15-20ft from the trunk and make that a flowerbed like WG said. by keeping the patio out that far you (should ) be missing the biggest roots. If you hit roots in excavation, cut them clean like when pruning so they heal better. I would raise the patio up with course limestone, no fines. Maybe #8's or #57's. then geofabric on that and then sand at 1 inch. The best bet would be just use a thicker flag and lay straight on the soil( 3-4in flag), and go inbetween the roots like someone said.

 

Be sure to use a permeable base; if not, you will risk cutting off the water supply to the tree around it's drip line, in turn killing it.

Like others said; be CAREFUL. Sometimes making money now isn't worth the headache that it can bring later

 

The only other thing I could think of is a raised deck if you want to get closer to the trunk of the tree. I would think digging a few post holes would make the least amount of damage around a tree that size.

ViceNut, post some pics if you can. I think pics would tell the whole story.

 

That was my thought also White Gardens. Raised deck integrated with flag and firepit.

 

The only other thing I could think of is a raised deck if you want to get closer to the trunk of the tree. I would think digging a few post holes would make the least amount of damage around a tree that size.

ViceNut, post some pics if you can. I think pics would tell the whole story.

I saw the raised deck idea on a TV landscape show. Huge landscape project with a pool. They put a deck over the roots.

 

If you set the deck height at 16-20", you could get away without a railing AND it would be a great seat height for a firepit set on grade.

 

The only other thing I could think of is a raised deck if you want to get closer to the trunk of the tree. I would think digging a few post holes would make the least amount of damage around a tree that size.

ViceNut, post some pics if you can. I think pics would tell the whole story.

Damn WHITE, you and I outa work together.... I was just thinking the same thing, then I turn the page and there it is. Great idea, a Floating deck, With one of those free standing fire pits, or a Chiminea.

I say Floating deck, because he could build a border, put in gravel, and lay his stringers on that, and install his decking. Nice, Rustic, and different. What do you think ? And it won't hurt the tree's roots.

 

Dittos on the raised deck around the tree, same thing I was thinking.

 

They just had them laying pavers in the soil, over the roots, without being sanded in or level, on one of the PBS Garden shows.
The purpose was to show that under these huge trees there can still be 'usable space' AND the tree gets what it wants too.

 

Damn WHITE, you and I outa work together.... I was just thinking the same thing, then I turn the page and there it is. Great idea, a Floating deck, With one of those free standing fire pits, or a Chiminea.

I say Floating deck, because he could build a border, put in gravel, and lay his stringers on that, and install his decking. Nice, Rustic, and different. What do you think ? And it won't hurt the tree's roots.

All in all I try to look at every angle to fix a situation so your esthetically achieving what you want without killing anything.

Floating deck would work perfectly, pretty much the thoughts of earlier posts on deck height.

I get calls all the time because to try to be as creative as possible with the cards dealt. Other Landscapers locally just don't seem to get it.

Just Like The Sig States.

 

They just had them laying pavers in the soil, over the roots, without being sanded in or level, on one of the PBS Garden shows.
The purpose was to show that under these huge trees there can still be 'usable space' AND the tree gets what it wants too.

That's 100% true, but the way I look at it, if someone is looking for 20+ out of a patio, then that method might not work to swell. I've got a couple of clients that would work for, and a few others who wouldn't like the idea of the pavers moving in a couple of years.

 

i'd go the with raised deck as well, if it had to be pavers do a thick washed base and treat it like a permeable job. DO NOT DO the firepit under the tree! BAD IDEA!