Question
We have several large trees (20 to 30 feet tall), mostly oaks, in our front yard.  We need to add soil to level off the yard, which would mean covering up to 2 feet of the tree trunks with new top soil.  Will this kill the trees?

Answer
Terri,

I am going to go straight to the point, YES you will kill your trees.  A tree's roots are not designed to be buried that deep.  95% of a tree's roots are in the top 12" of the soil.  If you bury these trees you will start a period of decline where each year the trees will look worse and worse.

Contact a local landscape professional about this.  There are some techniques being used now in just the type of situation you are describing.  

Good gardening

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