Some of your photos are a little too close-up which makes it hard to grasp the context. What's certain is that the excavation needs to be somewhat larger than the finished product and then backfilled. I wouldn't label this overzealous grading. It requires a little extra room to perform the construction. So you see the maximum extent of space you have to build a patio. But there's nothing to stop you from shrinking it if you desire. However, thinking that putting dirt back around a tree is somehow equivalent to putting roots back is just not accurate. An amputation cannot be undone. Putting dirt back will make no difference. In spite of that, the tree will re-grow some roots as that's what they do. The ultimate patio size is a factor of desire and space available, but as patios go, it certainly doesn't look too large. Neither does it look like the ret. wall will be abnormally tall. Its curved shape will add strength. It will be stepping or sloped down in some way to generally follow the earth so it's highest section will not extend for great width. Its height is a balancing act between the patio elevation and the surrounding soil levels. Calculate these out and adjust them as you see fit. Raise the patio too much and you will be filling the bottom end or shrinking the patio size. Lower it and you'll be creating a taller retaining wall. Balance and moderation are the key. As I look at the pictures, I don't see anything that can't be worked out to a decent conclusion... if the right design decisions are made along the way. If this were my yard, I'd prefer the appearance of a nicely detailed mortared stone wall, but that requires more skill and higher cost material than the kind of block you're proposing. Therefore, it would be more expensive. But it would look better, too. What you decide on is a factor of cost vs. benefits as you see it. At the end of it all, it will be imperative that you establish groundcover capable of holding soil in place. This is a key to preventing erosion.

I'm with ya Moonphase.Was thinking about planting mine out too until I saw the weather.Heard low of around 31. .....Gotta love North Georgia! later...April/dirt_under_my_nails

Zep, I went back & found the log. Sorry I didn't post it in my 1st post. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.45 www.malwarebytes.org Database version: 3930 Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.13 4/1/2010 8:46:03 PM mbam-log-2010-04-01 (20-46-03).txt Scan type: Quick scan Objects scanned: 111757 Time elapsed: 9 minute(s), 58 second(s) Memory Processes Infected: 0 Memory Modules Infected: 0 Registry Keys Infected: 0 Registry Values Infected: 0 Registry Data Items Infected: 0 Folders Infected: 1 Files Infected: 0 Memory Processes Infected: (No malicious items detected) Memory Modules Infected: (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys Infected: (No malicious items detected) Registry Values Infected: (No malicious items detected) Registry Data Items Infected: (No malicious items detected) Folders Infected: C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\gadcom (Trojan.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. Files Infected: (No malicious items detected)

I sympasize. Deer decided to prune my rose and my sunflowers a couple kf nights ago :(