Mulching around a tree is a must. Mulch can be more than just wood chips—shredded bark, pine straw, and even gravel also work well. Use the same type and color of mulch throughout your landscape to create a unified aesthetic.

Add a Layer of Mulch Adding a mulch layer is both the preferred and the easiest option when it comes to dealing with exposed tree roots. Carefully remove the remaining grass around the base of the tree and replace it with a thick layer of mulch.

The majority of a tree's root system is within the top 6-24” inches of soil. So grading down to 6” and adding inorganic ground cover (e.g. plastic sheeting, gravel, decomposed granite) will remove the soil's organic layer and compact the soil, harming tree health.