Is it okay to have landscaping rocks around plants?

I have 1-2 inch rocks around my lawn- we have planted plants and trees in the rock areas. Now I hear that plants and trees will not do very well, that they should be surrounded with mulch instead- is this true?

Is it okay to have landscaping rocks around plants?
I Have been an arborist for years and I have had to cut down many nice trees because they died. Reason? girdling of the stem. Placing rock around the trunk of a tree is like placing a tight rubber band around your finger, it turns blue,then back and then it dies and has to be cut off. If you must place rock around your trees each year go out there and rack it back and loosen it up so that it doesn't girdle the stem. I recommend a wood mulch but not more than 2" deep. Good luck and keep thinking green.
Reply:Stone is one form of mulch. I have hundreds of square feet of 1 to 2 inch stone around my house, trees, and perennials. All grow well, maybe you need to adjust your water shedule.
Reply:Yes it is ok to use the rock. The disadvantages are that the rock will not lock in near as much moisture as conventional mulch. However, as long as you supply the necessary water for the plant to survive, it doesn't matter what you put around it. Just plant the tree a little higher than normal, and don't pile a lot of rock on top of the root ball...just enough to give you the look you want.
Reply:Did you put the rocks around the plants or on top of them? One works well and the other don't.
Reply:Yes, it's ok. But I would do it in the other way around. I would clear the area of the rocks as much as you can, then plant. Mulch is an excellent additive for your plants and trees. Thru the years working around the plants and trees you'll remove more rock and make room for more mulch.

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