Are you looking to redesign your outdoor space but don’t want to sacrifice the trees that bring life and beauty to your property? Then you may find yourself wondering how best to update the look of your landscaping while still ensuring that those beloved trees remain healthy.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can both brighten up and add interest to your yard – all while protecting the wellbeing of any existing vegetation! In this blog post, we will explore five ideas for enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of outdoor areas by surrounding trees with beautiful greenery – without compromising their health.
So if you’re looking for guidance on getting creative with your land design in a sustainable way, read on for some simple solutions!
Get a tree diagnosis first
First off, don’t forget to get a proper tree diagnosis first. It’s an important step in any process – whether dealing with your trees or anything else. This will determine their overall health and care needs. Taking the time to do this upfront can end up saving you a lot of trouble down the line!
It pays to get a tree diagnosis if you plan on landscaping around trees! This pre-diagnosis will identify any potential issues that can be worked around to ensure your trees stay healthy during the landscaping process.
Getting an understanding of the existing conditions in and around your tree depending on the type of species can also inform you on risks associated with any type of change that is made as part of your landscaping efforts.
Incorporate native plants
When landscaping around trees, it’s important to incorporate native plants into your design. Native plants are those that naturally occur in an area and are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions.
Using native plants will help to ensure that your landscape is low-maintenance and sustainable.
Use mulch
Mulch is a material, such as bark chips or shredded leaves, which is spread around plants to help retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing. Mulching around trees will help to keep the roots cool and moist, and will also reduce the amount of time you spend weed-whacking!
When possible, use adaptable mulches like cedar barks or cocoa bean hulls, instead of gravel or stones, around established trees to protect sensitive root systems as needed.
Leave some space
When landscaping around trees, it’s important to leave some space between the tree and your other plantings. This will allow the tree roots to spread out without being crowded, and will also give you room to mow or rake without damaging the tree roots.
Prune regularly
Pruning is the process of removing dead or damaged branches from a tree. Pruning not only helps to keep trees healthy, but can also be used to shape them into an aesthetically pleasing form. When pruning around trees, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears to avoid damaging the tree bark.
Water deeply but infrequently
Trees need deep watering about once a week during the summer months (more often if there has been little rainfall). To water deeply, slowly pour water at the base of the tree until the ground is saturated and water starts to run off. Then, allow the soil to dry out before watering again.
Overwatering can damage tree roots, so it’s important not to water too often!
Fertilize sparingly
Fertilizing trees is generally not necessary unless they are showing signs of nutrient deficiency, such as yellowing leaves or stunted growth. If you do need to fertilize your trees, use a fertilizer that is specifically formulated for trees, and follow the directions on the package carefully
