I would NOT fill any portion of the "trench" with "pebbles." The most important consideration will be drainage. Does water enter this area ever, and if so, how does it get out? How will water stay out from under the new wood floor? The picture does not indicate what grade in the vicinity might be doing so it's not possible to give much advice. Need a wider view and more explanation. It looks as if the wood floor might have exacerbated the problem, if not been secondary in creating it.

We recently had an exterior concrete step repaired and now need to paint it. Can anyone recommend if we should use a primer? Since the step will be painted a flat black can the primer be tinted black to save a step? TIA!

By not speaking their language I find it difficult to understand well the information offered by some pages. I am sorry. Why do you think the tree will not recover? Maybe because the repair is poorly done? Or the reason is by the thickness of the branch that has separated? I, on the other hand, believe that the branch has been firmly united. Another issue is that Acacia dealbata are very little trees (those in my garden are already more than 30 years). They grow very quickly and their wood is very soft. I came to live in this place three years ago but the care that these trees received previously were practically none. They should have been pruned and not allowed to grow so long branches. The soft wood, the long branches and that the tree is old is what along with the strong wind has originated the break. There has been no harm in any other tree in the garden. Probably for these reasons that I have commented this tree, although it would not have suffered this damage, would have died in not many years. Other Acacia dealbata from my garden have already died. Through the wounds it is very possible that pathogens and even insects enter. This is why it is very dangerous for trees to be injured. But I do not think it's the repair that has been done that causes the damage. How would you have repaired

C-8 - Concrete Contractor California Code of Regulations Title 16, Division 8, Article 3. Classifications A concrete contractor forms, pours, places, finishes and installs specified mass, pavement, flat and other concrete work; and places and sets screeds for pavements or flatwork. This class shall not include contractors whose sole contracting business is the application of plaster coatings or the placing and erecting of steel or bars for the reinforcing of mass, pavement, flat and other concrete work. Authority cited: Sections 7008 and 7059, Reference: Sections 7058 and 7059 (Business and Professions Code)