Project Specs
| Project type | Hexagon tree surround (~100 square foot finished bed) |
| Lumber type | Pressure treated pine rated for ground contact |
| Lumber dimensions | 2x4, 4 feet long (cut down from 6 feet) with ends cut at 30-degree angles |
| Lumber finish | Natural; no stain, paint or sealer |
| 2xEDGE Staple finish | Rustic Steel |
| Mulch | Wood chips |
| Tools | 16-ounce rubber mallet; compound miter saw; tape measure |
| Edging install time | About 40 minutes (cut and layout lumber, install staples) |
| Difficulty | Moderate; angle cuts required |
The Project
This tree is situated in the front yard of our semi-rural property in southwest Michigan. It's the kind of setting where a straightforward, unfussy tree surround works well.
A hexagon-shaped tree ring built with pressure treated 2x4 lumber fit the bill. Clean geometry, natural material. Rustic Steel 2xEDGE Staples develop a rust patina over time. Together, the lumber and staples will weather and age gracefully. It's a look that suits the setting.
The math to create a hexagon tree surround is straightforward: six pieces of lumber of equal length with a 30-degree angle cut on each end of each piece. That's it. A compound miter saw makes quick work of the cuts. The installation (cutting the lumber, laying it out, tapping in the staples to secure each piece) took about 30 minutes.
The video above shows the full build from lumber cutting to finished surround.
Project Steps
Step 1: Planning the surround
Lumber length determines the finished size of the surround (see the tree surround sizing chart below). We used cut down 6-foot lumber to create 4-foot boards, and landed with a hexagon with approximately 42 square feet of bed space with an 8-foot diagonal. That's plenty of room for a small tree and a generous layer of organic mulch.
Pressure treated 2x lumber rated for ground contact is available at most home improvement stores in lengths ranging from 4- to 20-feet. Depending on the length you're going for, you may need to cut your pieces down to size. (This is what we did for this project, cutting 6-foot lumber down to 4-feet. The 2-foot offcuts are useful for smaller projects.)
Step 2: Cut the boards at 30 degrees
Set your compound miter saw to 30 degrees. Cut both ends of each board at 30 degrees in opposite directions (the same cut you'd make for a picture frame). Six boards cut to the same length, each with mitered ends, will create a perfect hexagon.
It's easiest to cut all six pieces of lumber before starting the installation to ensure that they are all the same length.
Step 3: Position the lumber around the tree
Place the six cut pieces of lumber around the tree, mitered ends meeting at each corner. Work your way around the tree adjusting the position of each board until the hexagon is centered and the corners meet neatly.
We found that this part took a bit of fiddling. Just keep at it, adjusting as you go, and you'll arrive at a solid hexagon.
Step 4: Install with 2xEDGE Staples
With the boards positioned, we installed Rustic Steel 2xEDGE Staples. Two staples per board installed 6 to 12 inches from each end does the trick.
To install, place the staple over the lumber and tap fully into place with a 16-ounce rubber mallet. Work your way around the hexagon one board at a time. Twelve staples total are needed for the full surround.
Step 5: Add mulch
Fill the surround with two to four inches of the mulch of your choice. We used wood chips that were left behind after having another tree cut down. (Check out our comparison of wood chips and other types of organic mulch. We're also sharing tips on how to get wood chips at no cost.)
Mulch benefits the tree in many ways including suppressing weeds, retaining moisture, and moderating soil temperature around the roots. But be careful to keep mulch way from the base of the tree, and definitely don't pile it against the trunk and create a "mulch volcano" that can trap moisture and can cause rot and disease. More on this is available below.
Project Notes
Tree surround sizing chart
Lumber length determines everything: the size of the bed, how much mulch you'll need, and how far from the trunk the edging sits. This table provides useful dimensions based on lumber length.
LUMBER LENGTH
|
BED SQUARE FEET
|
DIAGONAL
|
| 3 feet | 23.5 sf | 6 feet |
| 4 feet | 42 sf | 8 feet |
| 5 feet | 65 sf | 10 feet |
| 6 feet | 93.5 sf | 12 feet |
| 7 feet | 127 sf | 14 feet |
| 8 feet | 166 sf | 16 feet |
| 9 feet | 210.5 sf | 18 feet |
| 10 feet | 260 sf | 20 feet |
Angle cuts
The 30-degree miter cut is what makes the hexagon. Each piece of lumber gets the same cut on both ends. These are parallel cuts made in opposite directions, like the ends of a picture frame. Cut all six boards to the same length and the hexagon will close up cleanly.
A compound miter saw is a good tool choice for this job as it makes repeatable 30-degree cuts quickly. A circular saw with an adjustable base or a hand saw with a miter box can also work but are slower and can make less accurate angles.
Rustic Steel Staple finish
Rustic Steel 2xEDGE Staples develop a rust patina over time, weathering naturally alongside the pressure treated lumber. Where garden or landscape design is concerned, this weathered look fits the rural, naturalistic setting of this project. In a more formal garden setting a black, white, or silver finish would give the surround a sharp, finished look.ย
Mulching around trees
A common mistake made while mulching trees is the "mulch volcano" which describes mulch piled high against the trunk of a tree. This practice traps moisture, encourages pests and disease, and can eventually kill the tree. To avoid these issues layer mulch around the tree no more than two or three inches deep and feather it away from the trunk/root flare. See What Does Mulch Do for more on mulch best practices.
The Finish Line
The finished project gives this tree a defined bed, contained mulch, and adds an interesting geometric feature to our outdoor space. The Rustic Steel staples will develop a patina over time and the pressure treated lumber will weather to a natural gray - a fitting combination for this setting.
The hexagon shape offers both form and function in any garden design. While it's a terrific unique shape for a tree surround, it also works great for all types of garden beds.
Ready to Build Your Own Tree Surround?
- ๐ Size your Surround. Use the planning table to figure out the dimensions that will work best for your project.
- ๐ Order your staples. Rustic Steel 2xEDGE Staples. Or choose from the full range on the product page.
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Photo Credit๐ธ
Photos included in this article were taken by 2xEDGE and are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International.
