Building a planter box around a tree is a great way to maximise the use of your garden space. It can also create a nice visual effect, particularly if the tree itself isn’t much to look at. After all, there’s little you can put close to it, so that part of your garden might look a little barren.
Building a planter box around a tree is easy and quite cheap. You can use scrap wood from other DIY projects, as well as stones or rocks. Here’s how to do it in six simple steps:
Adding a planter box around a tree is a great way to make use of unused space in your yard or garden. Not only does it allow you to grow more plants, but it can also help improve the look of ugly or misshapen trees. Building a DIY planter box around a tree is an easy project that can be customized to fit your space and style.
Things to Consider Before Starting
Before you start building there are a few things you need to consider
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Size of the tree Measure the trunk diameter and allow adequate space so the planter box does not press against the bark Leave at least 12-18 inches between the tree trunk and the walls of the planter
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Sun exposure: Check how much sunlight the area gets each day. This will determine what types of plants you can grow.
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Soil depth: The planter box needs to be deep enough for healthy root growth. Aim for at least 12 inches of soil.
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Drainage: Make sure the planter has holes in the bottom so excess water can drain out. This prevents the roots from sitting in soggy soil.
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Irrigation: Plan how you will water the plants in the box. Drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses work well.
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Materials: Choose rot-resistant woods like cedar or redwood. Avoid pressure-treated lumber which contains chemicals.
How to Build a Square Planter Box
A simple square or rectangular planter box is easy to build and fits nicely around most tree trunks. Follow these steps:
Gather Materials
You will need:
- 1×6 or 1×8 cedar boards
- Landscape fabric (to line the bottom)
- Corner brackets and wood screws
- Saw (to cut the wood)
- Drill
Cut the Wood
Cut four equal-length boards for the sides of the box. The length depends on the size you want, but make each board at least 18 inches longer than the trunk diameter.
Cut two more boards for the ends. These should be the same length as the desired width of the planter box.
Use a power miter saw to make straight cuts if available.
Build the Box
Arrange the boards in a square shape on level ground around the tree. The ends of the side boards should overlap the end boards.
Attach corner brackets on the inside corners using wood screws. The brackets add strength and keep the shape square.
Flip the box over and line the bottom with landscape fabric. This acts as a weed barrier while still allowing water drainage.
Set Up the Box
Move the finished planter box into place around the tree. Check that there is adequate space between the trunk and walls.
Level the box if needed by placing shims under the corners.
Drill several drainage holes in the bottom of the box using a power drill.
Add gravel in the bottom for extra drainage before filling with soil.
Ideas for Custom Planter Boxes
Once you get the basics down, there are lots of ways to customize your tree planter box:
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Make it taller by using 2×6 or 2×8 boards stacked on top of each other.
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Use brick, stone, or cinder blocks instead of wood.
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Incorporate a trellis on one side for climbing vines.
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Add a gravel path between two planter sections.
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Use curved boards to create a rounded shape.
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Include a built-in seat using deck boards around part of the perimeter.
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Add decorative trim pieces, like crown molding, to dress it up.
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Stain or paint the wood to match your landscape.
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Use flashing around the tree trunk to prevent weeds.
Choosing Plants for the Planter Box
When selecting plants, opt for perennials, herbs, and shrubs over annuals which require replanting each year. Consider plants with these traits:
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Native varieties that are adapted to your climate.
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Drought tolerant plants that don’t need frequent watering.
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Plants suited to the sunlight conditions in that spot.
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Low-growing varieties that won’t cover up the tree trunk.
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Plants with non-invasive roots that won’t disturb the tree roots.
Good options include lavender, salvia, sedum, thyme, ornamental grasses, dwarf shrubs, and small perennials like astilbe or epimedium. Make sure to leave space between plants for growth.
Caring for the Planter Box
Once installed, a DIY planter box around a tree does require some regular care:
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Water thoroughly after planting and then as needed during dry periods.
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Inspect soil moisture frequently. Don’t allow roots to dry out.
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Remove weeds promptly before they spread.
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Replenish soil nutrients each year by top-dressing with compost.
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Prune and trim plants as needed to keep them looking neat.
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Watch for signs of disease or insects and address problems quickly.
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Check for erosion issues inside the box after heavy rains.
Building your own planter box around a tree is a great DIY project for any yard. Not only does it allow you to grow more plants in a limited space, but it can also transform an ugly tree into an attractive focal point. With the right materials and planting strategy, you can create a beautiful and lush garden bed that adds color and interest to your landscape.
Step 3 – Gather the materials
The beauty of this type of project is that it doesn’t require many materials. You may need to pop to a DIY store and buy a few pieces of wood and you can also use leftover pieces from previous projects.
All you need are four pieces of wood that you can cut to the same length.
Step 2 – Clean and level the area
Clean the area of roots and weeds and make sure to fill any holes. If the area surrounding the tree is not perfectly flat, try to correct that by adding an extra layer of soil on the sloping side.
If the ground is too hard, gently break up the soil using a shovel and a rake. For particularly hard ground, use a tiller. Borrow one from a neighbour if you don’t have one.
Important: Work carefully so you don’t damage the roots of the tree.
DIY Raised Tree Bed or Planter
FAQ
Can you put a planter around a tree?
Planters add extra soil and weight over the roots of the tree, which restricts water and air. Soil piled up against the trunk of a tree can lead to rot. If it gets bad enough and affects bark all around the tree, it may eventually die.
How big does a planter box need to be for a tree?
Most trees will do well in a pot that is 12 inches across and deep, and larger trees will grow more or less indefinitely in a container 24 inches across and …
What do you put in the bottom of a planter box?
- Gravel or Small Rocks : A layer of gravel helps water to drain away from the soil and prevents it from becoming waterlogged.
- Potting Soil : If you have a very small planter, adding a bit of potting soil can help retain moisture while still allowing for adequate drainage.
- Landscape Fabric
- Broken Pottery or Clay Pieces
What kind of wood do you use for a planter box?
Options for the type of wood to use included MDF (medium-density fibreboard), redwood, cedar and pine. The MDF, redwood and cedar were the most expensive, so we looked at pine. Of course, an even less expensive good option would be to use scrap wood or old pallets, but we like our find better.