Tree Base Flower Box

Valerie Burge
by Valerie Burge
7 Materials
$35
2 Hours
Easy

We have a cute little Japanese Maple tree on our front lawn. I love the tree – but do not love playing twister with it, while I’m mowing the grass around it. LOL


Note: In order to give the tree plenty of oxygen, I kept the soil level very low (3/4") and didn't pack it in around the trunk. If you want to try this idea, make sure to take these precautions to keep your tree healthy.

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So I decided to make a shallow planter box around it. I picked up two 8-foot 3.5 x 3.5” pressure treated garden ties.  

Garden ties

Then I cut them both in half, to make a 4 x 4’ box.

I laid the four pieces of wood around the tree and measured from the tree trunk to the box on all four sides to make sure the box was centered. Then I dug up all the weeds and trimmed the grass as short as possible inside the box.  

Then I screwed the wood together using 5" deck screws - two screws on each corner.

I placed cardboard on the ground to kill the grass. I removed all the tape, stickers and labels from the boxes to make sure I wasn’t burying anything environmentally unfriendly. The cardboard will break down fairly quickly.

I filled the box with soil. I kept is shallow and fluffy because I didn’t want it to be too deep or heavy over the tree roots.  


Update: After receiving feedback from an experienced horticulturist in the "questions" section below I removed some of the soil - down to 3/4". I also pulled the soil away from the tree trunk - there's basically just a sprinkle near the trunk now - enough to cover the cardboard.

The two cut ends of wood that were visible (the other two were inside and not visible) I stained with provincial gel stain, applied with a cloth.

Then I added a few flowers to the box. I decided to just plant a few things this year, so the cardboard boxes will get lots of moisture and break down faster. But I’ll add a few more perennials next summer. 


I will keep a close eye on the tree to make sure there are no ill effects. But the local garden center staff assures me this shallow bed will not damage my cute little tree. 


And here it is! It will be so nice not having to get into pretzel positions while I’m cutting the grass!

After learning that I shouldn't put soil too close to the trunk I relocated the sweet william flowers that I had planted up against the trunk. I love the way it looked - but I love the tree more and want to ensure it remains healthy!

Sweet William perennials


And this is how it looked after I removed some of the soil and relocated the flowers I had planted up against the trunk. I think it still looks very pretty. And it still serves the exact same purpose I built it for - easier mowing around the tree. :)


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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 29 questions
  • Bak80045242 Bak80045242 on Mar 26, 2023

    Did you make holes in the cardboard for the plants you put in?

    every fall I put lots of leaves in my beds, the cover them with cardboard weighted down with rocks. In the spring, I turn under what’s left of the leaves, and I’ve been throwing the cardboard out. This year, I’m getting some new black dirt, so I’ll

    leave the cardboard in place and cover it with the new dirt.

  • Tin48618840 Tin48618840 on Jun 09, 2023

    Love the idea of using boxes for weeds do you know how long the cardboard lasts before it decomposes?

  • Gig69451122 Gig69451122 on Jul 28, 2024

    We did this using the same supplies. Although tailored & finished looking? The wood rotted after 5yrs. Can't control rainfall 🤦‍♀️

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  • He-74223268 He-74223268 on Dec 06, 2022

    I'm thinking about it, however, I thing I would use bricks instead. Thanks.

    • Gig69451122 Gig69451122 on Jul 28, 2024

      If you haven't done it already? Your idea is better. We did this for all framing the front yard. Pressure treated still rots. Can't control rainfall 🤦‍♀️ Instead, we used decorative rocks, hand picked from a rock quarry. Same cost as bricks, that way 😉

  • Dek92377063 Dek92377063 on Nov 01, 2023

    Cute, But the mold on your Red Maple needs addressing, it will kill your tree and surrounding trees, Rake away all fallen leaves from infected Japanese maples to prevent the pathogen from overwintering. Chemical control may be necessary for young, newly planted, or stressed trees. Use a registered fungicide per label instructions

    • Valerie Burge Valerie Burge on Nov 01, 2023

      Really? I thought that was normal on tree trunks. I did this project two nearly two and half years ago and the tree still looks awesome. I did remove that one sucker as someone suggested. But I'll def do some research on Japanese Maple tree mold. Thank you.

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