how about you start your own post.. and add a pic taken during the day ... regardless of what we recommend.. there is no hurry to do something.. tree time is counted in decades .... it wouldnt hurt to ID the tree .... try to find a leaf.. and give us a pic of it.. maybe after the next storm ... this is not a big deal.. so dont make it one .... ken ps: most likely the answer is going to be.. move out the bricks.. find some other use for them ... they are not cheap .. may as well repurpose them ... and then start washing away the mounded up soil ... without so much pressure as to damage the tree .... keep in mind.. based on the size of that trunk ... the important roots of this tree.. the feeder roots are probably one or 2 doors down the street ... and a little hose water isnt going to hurt the trunk or roots at the trunk ....

I'm not sure where you read that planting under a tree would kill it - it is simply not true! Trees growing in the natural environment routinely have other, smaller plants growing under them. Even in heavy forests, there is always undergrowth! As Ken stated, raising the soil level under existing trees can be harmful but in virtually all cases, underplanting them at the same soil level is not an issue. Some trees dislike much disruption in their root zone (Japanese maples for example) so it is best to plant things that will grow happily without the need for division or replanting. And other trees have such aggressive root systems that it is a challenge to get things to thrive within the spread of their canopy or even further. But most trees are very happy with accompanying shrubs or perennials and groundcovers in close proximity. In a small urban or suburban lot, I dislike trees planted plunk in the middle of the lawn. They have no sense of place and look like after thoughts. Plus lawn up to the base of a tree can be a hindrance to successful establishment, not to mention the potential for string trimmer or mower disasters. A good sized bed with complimentary underplantings give trees context and anchor them into the landscape.

I'm not sure of the type of Oak. The builders planted these along the roadway before the houses were built. It's probably a 5 year old tree. The damaged area of the trunk spans about 18-24 inches vertically, and maybe the bottom 4-5 inches was covered with mulch until i removed it. And the damaged area is restricted to less than half of the circumference (maybe 120-140 degrees). When i removed the mulch originally, i removed as much as i could before i started hitting 1/2" diameter roots that had started growing into the mulch pile, so i stopped. Would spraying any part of it with pruning spray be beneficial? or just continue to leave it alone as Ken suggested above. I did notice some green beetles crawling up and down the damaged area last summer.

first off.. round up has no effect on exposed roots or bark ... no green there.. BUT!!!!! ... if you have scarred the roots with the mower ... do NOT hit such with roundup ... use a paintbrush.. and do not touch the wound ... trunks rot.. when underground.. i like to think.. they are made for air .. not long term damp ... roots .. are made for soil.. and that includes damp soil.. they do not rot ... even once exposed ... even when inundated for short term flood ... [those trees fall over due to loss of soil tension.. rather than roots rotting fast ...] when it all boils down.. i guess i would rather see the roots.. than what will end up looking like a pile of mulch ... you just wont gain anything with a plain 8 foot circle of mulch ... ken ps: surprised you arent contemplating moving it.. lol ...