Question: Can I Kill a tree just by paving around the trunk?
Answer: Paving the ground above a tree's roots can kill quickly. Yes, there are tricks to help a tree out like installing a gravel diffusion layer under the pavement and providing a water catch basin around the tree's base. These improvements increase soil aeration and usable moisture and are essential for tree survival.
But you are trying to kill the tree, right? Don't spent the time, effort or money for any of this. Just pave right up to the tree's bark.
