Maple Decline After Brick Ring Installation

Root Damage from Landscaping

A Wisconsin homeowner installed a brick tree ring with hostas and landscape fabric two years ago. Since then, a large maple has thinned dramatically. The cause: root severing during excavation and fabric blocking water/nutrient exchange.

Remediation Steps

• Don't remove the ring now—it would cause more root damage.
• Cut and remove as much landscape fabric as possible.
• Reduce mulch depth to ≤3 inches; keep it 1 inch from trunk.
• Water deeply: 1 inch twice weekly (use a pan to measure).

Fabric under the canopy is harmful; organic mulch to the drip line is better.