Marie, I am a total novice compared to most here. But based on what I saw in a visit to New Hampshire I wouldn't worry too much. I saw incredible examples of trees started in scrappy little amounts of dirt on top of boulders, with roots snaking along searching out the dirt. No way that they had anywhere near what you would think is required.

Marie, as long as you aren't planting above the rock, the roots will grow around it without problems. The one in the photo above started as a seedling in a crack, and so perhaps isn't a fair comparison unless your Cercis is a seedling as well. I think the rock would only be a problem for a tree planted immediately above it until the roots managed to grow down into deeper soil. My observation is that soil immediately above a big chunk of ledge tends to be quite dry.

I say plant a pine. :)

Right. The idea that what nature shows us in these rocky settings is something we can duplicate is sketchy. It ignores the fact that these scenes result from a seed landing in a spot just sufficient for life, that that life only grows just so much, no more, based on available resources, and that there was no impatient human being waiting for those trees to stretch out across those rocks. You could plant one hundred trees on top of rocks like that and fail with every one of them. Nature didn't start with a propped-up, sizable plant in those crevices, just a seed.

That said, Marie, I see no issue for what you propose.

We're reburying it.

==>>> why??? .....leave it showing.. grade around it a bit ...

whats a 6 foot planting circle.. how big is this root ball??? ...

just plant it.. trees can amazingly put their roots where they are needed ...

ken

I'm familiar with the "tree in rock" phenomenon! How about the trees growing out of a sheer rockface?

Before the rock divulged its true character, I thought 'leave it in place because we won't be able to move it." The yard is full of small glacial boulders. But the top is a full 10 inches below grade; we had to dig a deep hole.

My husband has built three decent stone walls from New England rocks, so he knows how to pry a rock out of the ground. (pick axe, plank, steel toed boots, cowhide gloves etc).

The root ball is small....probably fits into a 2 gallon bucket, though it was sold in a much larger one. Isn't that often the case? It could probably grow 5 years before it encounters the rock.

Good day to plant; overcast.

Go for it! Cercis (I assume you mean a redbud) are small trees, and a large rock should cause no problem in the future.

You only worry about the rocks if you're planting a lawn, carrots or potatoes.

Mike

It is planted, watered and mulched. For my purposes, the job is done and the tree doesn't exist until it gets watered again in November. Thanks for replies especially the humorous ones.

I am confused. Is the rock exposed or is it completely below the surface and you found it when trying to plant something?

If it is exposed I would plant around it as a garden feature. If it is below the surface I would plant where the soil was deep enough for the plant to get established and plant flowers and similar foliage above the rock.

From one post it sounded as if the rock was 10" below the surface. If so I would forget it and grow grass or plant flowers and shrubs.