roots showing

Question

There are five trees, which are used as a hedge, next to the wall where the roots are showing. What is best to cover the roots with? The nursery told me top soil, but the gardener said it has to be dirt. What do you think?

Answer 1

Top soil and dirt are essentially the same thing, though top soil implies a high quality dirt. Both would be fine as long as they are added only to the top of the roots and no deeper. Any more than that can suffocate the roots.