When Modifying The Hardscape, Does A Person Have To Worry About Sufficating The Roots Of A Hackberry Tree?

Question

I have several hackberry trees that are well established along a hillside. I plan on adding dirt at the base of the hill. I want to decrease the slope of the hillside making it easier for me to get down to the lower part of my property with a riding lawn mower. I worry that adding soil/material will suffocate the roots or harm the trees in another way. I have a string running up the hill; this is the center of where I plan to add the extra material. I also was planning on adding soil; is there something else you would recommend?

Answer 1

Adding soil is just fine, as long as you don't cover the base or crown of the tree.

These are very hardy trees and will not be killed off easily.