Can I Put River Rocks Around Trees? (Explained)

So, you’re thinking about sprucing up the area around your tree with some river rocks, right? 

They do look pretty—nice, smooth stones that can make your yard look super nice. 

But before you start hauling rocks, you might want to take a second to think about how they could impact your tree’s health. River rocks might seem like a low-maintenance landscaping win, they can actually cause a lot of problems for your tree over time.

In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about putting river rocks around trees.

Is It Ok To Put River Rocks Around Trees?

The short answer is NO. You should NOT put river rocks around trees.

River rocks might seem like a good choice because they’re pretty and low-maintenance, but they can actually harm your tree over time. 

Trees need the right conditions to thrive—good soil, proper moisture, and airflow to their roots. River rocks might look nice, but they can disrupt these conditions.

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Why You Should Not Put River Rocks Around Trees

Let’s go over the main reasons why you might want to think twice before putting river rocks around your trees. Each of these can really impact how well your trees grow and stay healthy:

#1 River Rocks Can Increase The Soil Temperature

One of the biggest problems with placing river rocks around trees is that they can mess with the soil temperature. 

Rocks absorb heat from the sun and retain it for a long time. This is especially true during hot summer days. The heat can transfer down into the soil, creating an environment that’s too hot for the tree’s roots.

Tree roots prefer a more stable temperature, especially in summer. When the ground gets too hot, it can stress the tree and stunt its growth. 

In the winter, rocks can also keep the soil too warm, preventing it from freezing when it naturally should. So, putting river rocks around trees can mess with that natural temperature balance.

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#2 They Don’t Hold Moisture Well

Trees need water to stay healthy, but river rocks aren’t great at keeping moisture in the soil. 

When it rains or when you water your trees, the water tends to flow right over the rocks instead of getting into the soil where it needs to go. This makes it harder to keep the right amount of moisture in the soil for your trees. 

The smooth river rocks actually make water run off instead of soaking in.

During dry spells, you’ll probably need to water more often because the soil under the rocks dries out faster than soil that’s exposed or covered with natural mulch.

This becomes a real problem during growing seasons when trees need steady access to water.

#3 Prevents Proper Aeration And Drainage

Tree roots need air to stay healthy, but river rocks create a barrier that keeps air from getting into the soil. 

The rocks can also make it harder for water to drain properly, which might lead to water pooling around the roots. Over time, this can cause the roots to rot. 

The weight of all those rocks can also pack down the soil, making it even harder for air to get in and for roots to spread out naturally.

The reduced air circulation also affects the helpful microorganisms in the soil.

#4 They Can Look A Bit Fake

River rocks can make your garden look somewhat artificial.

Even though they look neat and tidy, they often don’t fit in naturally with the rest of your yard.

Gardens usually look better when everything works together naturally rather than having elements that stand out too much.

When all the rocks are the same size and color, they can look pretty different from the natural shapes and textures in your garden.

This becomes more noticeable as your garden grows and changes, and might make your landscaping look outdated compared to the rest of your naturally evolving yard.

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#5 Hard To Maintain

We all love a low-maintenance landscape, right? 

But, unfortunately, river rocks aren’t as maintenance-free as they seem. Over time, dirt and debris can get trapped between the rocks. 

Weeds might start growing too, and the rocks will need to be cleaned or rearranged regularly. Plus, as the tree grows, the rocks might start crowding the base and damaging the tree’s bark. 

If you’re hoping for a super easy setup, rocks might not be the way to go.

What Can I Put Around Trees Instead Of River Rocks?

Luckily, there are better options for decorating the area around your trees! You can use materials that will protect your tree, look nice, and require less upkeep. 

Here are a couple of alternatives to river rocks that your tree will appreciate:

Organic Mulch

Organic mulch (like wood chips or shredded bark) is one of the best things you can put around trees.

It helps to maintain a cool soil temperature, retains moisture, and allows air to circulate to the roots. Mulch also breaks down over time, enriching the soil with nutrients. 

Plus, it’s easy to replenish as needed.

Here are some benefits of mulch:

• It retains moisture better than rocks.
• It decomposes naturally and adds nutrients to the soil.
• It looks more natural and blends well with garden plants.

Just make sure you don’t pile it up too high against the tree trunk, as this can cause rot. Spread it out evenly around the base, keeping a little space from the trunk to allow the tree to breathe.

Gravel

If you really like how stones look, gravel works better than river rocks.

It’s a bit more natural looking than river rocks, and it provides good drainage, which is super important for tree health. Gravel won’t trap moisture in the way rocks do, and it lets water seep down to the roots without holding onto it too much too. 

Plus, it’s easier to maintain than river rocks since it doesn’t tend to trap as much debris. 

It can give your garden a more rustic or Mediterranean feel, depending on the style you like.

However, just like river rocks, gravel can still get a bit messy, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it. Weeds can grow through gravel too, but it’s not as bad as with rocks.

Wrapping Up

If you love the look of river rocks, it’s totally understandable. They’re attractive, low-maintenance, and add a nice touch to your landscaping. 

But  putting river rocks around trees may not be the best choice. 

Rocks can cause all sorts of problems, from raising soil temperatures to blocking proper moisture and airflow. Over time, this can lead to unhealthy trees.

Luckily, some of the options we talked about are just as nice (if not nicer!).

FAQs

Will Rocks Around A Tree Kill It?

Rocks themselves won’t directly kill a tree, but over time, they can cause enough stress that the tree’s health could decline. If the roots suffer from poor aeration, lack of moisture, or extreme temperatures, the tree may become unhealthy or even die. 

It’s best to avoid rocks and go for materials that help, not hinder, the tree.

Large Rocks Around Trees

Large rocks are even more problematic because they’re harder to move and adjust. They’re also more likely to compact the soil or damage the roots as the tree grows. 

Stick with something softer and more flexible, like mulch or gravel. Your tree will thank you!