My parents have a pine tree of some kind and the grass isnt growing under it for a number of reasons so Im looking into adding rock all around it. My problem is I would like to build it up at the base of the tree but Im not sure how high I can stack rock up the trunk of the tree without causing problems.

Anyone know how high a person can stack rock around a tree trunk without damaging the tree?

Ill try to post some pics of what Im looking to do.

Their tree looks basically like this and I would like to stack some large (200 lb) rock around the base and some smaller river 10" or so river rock among those and up about 2'. From there I would start tapering down to the flat ground.

Stacking up rock, soil, mulch etc.around/up the trunk.is not a good idea. You want the root flare of the tree exposed.

You run the risk of girdling the tree(killing the bark all the way around the trunk). Those rocks might hold moisture causing fungus or rot of some kind,damaging the bark. I've seen young trees killed by lawn maintenance guys whipping the bark with weed eaters around the circumference of the tree.

From what Im gathering if it stays dry and can breathe it should be fine. Thats the reasoning for me wantin to use large rock around the base and not smaller ones.

I know I could get grass to grow around the tree but thats just more watering my mom will have to do. Plus Ill have to cover roots with dirt which also bad for the tree...