Raising and levelling a back garden above neighbour's willow tree roots Information, help and advice on all areas of landscaping and land design

[Jogey]

Hi all,

I recently moved into a house which has a back garden which slopes downwards to the back fence.
It's a small back garden with a lawn of approximately 50 square meters. There are tree roots from the neighbour's willow tree growing into my garden till about half way up the lawn.
I would like to raise the level of the garden so that it doesn't slope any more and is straight and level.
1) Is all I need to do is get a landscaper to add soil to the top of the existing garden or is there anything else I need to do?
2) Can I leave the existing fences around the garden in place whilst this work is done or do they need to be removed?
3) Is it possible to do this work over the existing tree roots or will the tree roots undermine the raised and levelled lawn and make it uneven or unstable?

Thanks

[stoneyboy]

Hi jogey,
1) yes but bear in mind imported soil will have a variety of seeds in it, some you may not want.
2) if you are raising the levels right up to the fence, fit gravel boards on your side of the fence.
3) eventually the tree roots will lift the surface above them but this may take many years.
Regards S