Tree rings are relatively fast and inexpensive to have installed, add a lot of visual zing, and provide several practical benefits to your landscape:

• Tree rings act as a barrier, keeping more moisture in the soil, where your trees can use it to grow.
• A well-installed ring is a reliable defense against weed growth, for a cleaner-looking property and less time weeding in the summer.
• The materials used can help insulate the soil, keeping it at a more consistent temperature, which reduces stress on the tree.
• They serve as a physical shield, protecting the tree trunk and roots from damage by lawn care equipment.

Tree rings are composed of two parts: The edge material that creates the ring shape, and the fill material that goes inside it.

Edging Options

There are many options for making ring edges. The best choice for you comes down to your budget and personal preferences. Here are some popular materials:

• Stone is durable, natural, and fits well with almost any landscape. The different sizes and shapes to choose from—block granite, rounded limestone, rustic field stones—give you many good choices.
• Brick is also highly durable and offers a timeless look to your landscape. 
• Plastic, which is fast to install and inexpensive, can easily form irregular shapes and is the easiest to remove or modify whenever you wish.
• Metal gives you very clean lines and defined edges, making for an organized, modern look.
• Wood typically creates a warm and inviting appearance. It provides many color options and wooden slat edging can be made to fit nearly as many shapes as plastic.

Tree Ring Fill Options

There are also many good options for the material inside the ring.

• Mulch is a classic and all-time favorite choice. It comes in many colors, helps to suppress weeds, and adds nutrients to the soil over time as it breaks down.
• Decorative bark chips are similar to mulch but usually come in larger pieces, and have a more distinctive appearance. Because of their size, they typically do not need to be replaced as often as traditional mulch.
• Rubber, in the form of mulch-sized pieces or larger flexible mats, also has many color options. The big advantages of rubber is its high levels of weed suppression and overall durability.
• Gravel and stone are the most durable options of all. They look good, don’t provide weeds nutrients, and can’t float away in the rain.

Where to Place Tree Rings

Can tree rings be installed anywhere? Flat ground or gentle slopes is ideal. We don’t recommend installing tree rings on very steep slopes—the fill materials can get washed away there—or in areas with already poor drainage. Overall, though, tree rings are very versatile and can be installed for most trees across a variety of landscape types.

Whether you prefer the natural elegance of stone, the classic charm of brick, the practicality of plastic, or any of the other options, we have the expertise to install tree rings that not only look fantastic, but provide great protection for your trees. We’ll help craft a landscape that celebrates your trees with style. Contact us today to get started.

Contact us today to get started. We serve the entire Twin Cities area.