How To Make Concrete Tree Rings

Why make "tree rings"? you ask.  As part of a landscape, a tree is a very special plant and to give it a more formal air and enhance it's place in the garden, a tree ring adds that touch of formality and "class" to the scene.  In addition, with this method, I am able to "label" the ring, or add personal touches and or tree names.  It's a fun project and I plan on making at least a few more for other trees I have or will obtain. 

Step 1: Make Circle Template From Cardboard

To make the ring, we need a form in which to pour the concrete.  I decided a three foot or 36" ring would be adequate for my small trees so started by making a 36" circle out of cardboard.

Comments

[bigloaf]

Hi C Man, Say, I think you made a small error when you describe making the template 41/2" wide. To get a 41/2" wide block you need to make the inner circle 9" in diameter smaller not 41/2" as you described.
Great project. I'll be make beucop of these for all my landscape trees. I hate the thin junky edging you find everywere.

[land.strider]

If you spray adhere the styrofoam letters backwards to the bottom of the mold, you'll end up with a nice negative.

[ax89]

That looks very nice, and the permanent label is a very classy touch.  Did you connect the segments in any way?

[Creativeman]

Thanks for your comment.  As of now, I have not connected them, but may make a poured concrete base, much like a curb, then mortar the segments in place. That would require much more effort, but would be worthwhile in a formal, landscaped, public space such as an arboretum or park. Cman

[johnny3h]

I'm concerned that making a solid, unbroken "curb" or base may end up either being damaged by growth of the tree, or cause damage to the tree and /or its roots as the tree grows.

Of course, this point is moot, IF the size of the ring designed for the maximum size of the tree at maturity.

[mouse23]

Consider neutralizing the alkali from the ring leaching into the soil.

[ChrysN]

Nice, adding the lettering is really cool!

[Creativeman]

Thanks Chrys. Cman

[ktkeith]

Nicely done. Just one question: how do you highlight the lettering in the personalized forms? It looks like you filled them with some sort of dark material - is that it? Or did you just paint the molded-in letters?

Thanks. Good job!

[Creativeman]

Black styrofoam...see link in step 9.

[rhino]

Don't you have to reverse the letters in the mould for them to come out correctly?

[Creativeman]

Yes, as explained in photo note, step 9. Cman

[tomstedham]

This is a wonderful idea!

[Creativeman]

Thank you. Cman

[tacamaral]

Wow, really nice. I wish I had a garden to make some of these.

[Creativeman]

Thanks. Cman

[Ninzerbean]

These are a fantastic idea, very well documented too.

[Creativeman]

Thanks NB! Cman

[00MrNotWrong00]

This is very pretty but you should talk to an arboriculturalist professional about foliage drip lines and there corresponding feeder roots before doing something like this.  It many not happen tomorrow but a few years from now this could cause problems (this reminds me of mulch volcanoes) .