How to Create a Tree Ring with Stones

If you like the look of a tree ring, a circle that encompasses an entire tree with decorative stones, then you can follow these instructions to help guide you into making one of your own. The stones are functional, have longevity, and not only provide an excellent way to showcase your trees but also offer protection to the tree against weeds. This job is neither difficult nor expensive, making it an ideal summer project to approach alone, or with the kids.

First gather your supplies. You will need the following:

Tape Measure

Spade

Level

Hammer and piece of wood or rubber mallet

Half Tiles for creating border markers

Builder's sand

Shovel

Cement

Trowel

Markers for the soil (to mark where your circle will be) You can create wood stakes for this, if you like

Gravel

Large stones (one for the center of each decoration you are making in the tree ring)

Three different sizes of pebble rocks

Mulch (optional)

Working Gloves

Now you are ready to begin your project. Measure from the base of the distance where you would like your tree ring (or circle) to extend to. Be sure to allow for an inner circle of dirt to remain. This is where you will place your mulch in the end. Place a marker or stake into each place you will have a centerpiece for a decoration made. It is best to measure even widths between the pieces for conformity.

Put your working gloves on. Now you want to remove the grass from the circle you have created. Use your spade to do this, cutting of the top layer until you have only dirt exposed and then when you have created the circle, flattening the soil out even with the flat side of the spade.

Use your half tiles to stand in the dirt as borders for your dirt perimeter (the small circle closest to the tree) and your outer circle as well. Use a level to make sure you have created even borders and to ensure all half tiles are level as well.

Apply a layer of gravel to the entire outer circle. This will be the outer circle, which is the larger of the two. Fill it in tightly, you want this area to be very compact. You should, when finished, still be able to see the tops of your half tiles. You will need them for direction when applying your pebbles.

Mix a small portion of your cement with the builder's sand. You are going to be laying it in sections. It is best to create one section at a time. Your cement should have a loose consistency to it. Use you shovel to put it on top of the gravel you have lain in the outer circler of the tree ring. Use your trowel to level it, allowing sight of the top of your half tiles.

Apply a large stone in the center of the cement mix and apply steady and firm pressure to it so that one half of it becomes lodged under the ground. Place the largest of your pebbles around the large stone to create a uniform sized border. Use the middle-sized pebbles to create a design around the large stone and its border. You can create squares, circles, triangles, hearts, or any other simply shape you would like. Use the large stones again, to border the design you have made. Tap your pebbles into place by hammering on top of a piece of board you have on top of them, or even better, with a rubber mallet. Space them as tightly together as you can. Use your smallest of pebbles to pour on top of your design to fill in any gaps You want all of the pebbles and the center stone to be of even height. Repeat this process, spacing each design evenly by using the stakes you have put in place until the circle is complete.

Allow your mortar to dry for twenty-four hours and brush away any excess mortar that is lying on the rocks.

You now have a unique and decorative tree ring to add pizazz, character and style to your landscaping. You can leave the inner circle as a dirt filling, or you can fill it with decorative mulch.