I have noticed a large number of trees that seemed to have had soil added after they had grown to a mature size. The reson seems to be people did not like the look of the butress. Now adventisiouse rooting has caused girdling compression and crown dieback. the amount of soil added is not realy that much, just enugh to initiate epicormic root growth.

Many trees with large low limbs, encircling the trunk, that are vigoruous but the center lead is dieing back. Seemingly because of a lack of nutrient availibility. Many of these limbs have outward indications of true codominace, ie no branch collar. Manytimes there is a sunken area under the branch and heavy ridges on each side. It seams that early removal of these branches or later control of their vigor reduce the occurance of this dieback.

Reply to post by JPS, on September 03, 2001 at 12:49:59:

I don't think I understand all you wrote, so correct me if I'm wrong.
Now in Russia there is a real building boom and they do not consider needs of the existing before building trees. They often add the ground from foundations or chernozem (it is good to know that you use Russian terms for soils).
If the layer of the added ground is more than 5 cm and the groud has clay texture, scotch pine will die in a few years.
Deciduous will generate 'dropsical shoots' and they tops will dry up, but they more tolerable than coniferous.