Maybe you're lucky enough to have mature shade trees in your yard, or perhaps you've just planted one. Either way, they add so much beauty and other benefits by themselves in addition to valuable shade. But there are some easy ways to make them shine even more in your landscape. While the limbs and leaves fill overhead space, there's often an empty area around their trunks that shouldn't be neglected. Landscaping under trees creates a finished overall look to the yard while protecting the tree's trunk and roots to keep it healthy. The best part? These landscaping hacks are inexpensive, easy to do, and will continue to look great year after year.
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1. Add the Right Plants
Shade trees often block out enough sunlight under their canopies that it can be challenging to get much to grow under them. However, plenty of hardy, shade-loving plants will appreciate a sheltered spot under a tree, whether in a small flower bed that encircles the trunk or a more elaborate shade garden.
Good choices include colorful annuals like impatiens and coleus or flowering perennials like astilbe or coralbells. When deciding what to put around trees, choose nursery containers rather than bigger ones. Not only will you save a little money, but they'll also be easier to plant without damaging the tree's roots. Spring bulbs are also a great way to add a pop of color around deciduous trees because when the trees leaf out and block the light in spring, the bulbs will go dormant and disappear anyway.
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2. Layer on the Mulch
Mulching around a tree is a must. Mulch can be more than just wood chips—shredded bark, pine straw, and even gravel also work well. Use the same type and color of mulch throughout your landscape to create a unified aesthetic. The repetition of mulch in flower beds and around trees gives the landscape a cohesive and clean look.
Other than giving everything a tidy appearance, why is mulch a good choice for what to put around trees? First and foremost, it protects the tree trunk from damage by lawn equipment. The circle around the tree trunk reminds you how far to stay away from the trunk when mowing and trimming so you don't accidentally hit it.
Mulch also helps to insulate the soil from temperature extremes. A 2- to 4-inch layer can help keep soil warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. That protects delicate roots from heat stress, which is especially important with young trees. Plus, it slows the evaporation of water in sunny spots, so plants stay hydrated longer. Mulch can also help reduce slope erosion and naturally prevent weeds from sprouting.
When applying mulch around the base of a tree, don't pile it against the trunk like a volcano—this can encourage pests and diseases that harm trees. Instead, create a ring of mulch, so it looks more like a donut around the trunk. Make sure your mulch layer reaches at least the tree's drip line (the area outside the canopy). Landscape edging can be added around the border of the mulch for a more defined outline.
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3. Use Garden Accents
In addition to mulch and shade-loving plants, landscaping under trees can include a few garden accents to fill empty spaces. Large, smooth rocks add a natural element to the area and will help to keep weeds from growing. To create silhouettes and shadows, you can also use landscape lights below trees for a dramatic nighttime accent. Place small container gardens in open spaces to add height and contrast, or add a fairy garden or toad house for a whimsical touch.
Giving the space around tree trunks a little attention goes a long way. These tips will quickly and easily turn the area around a tree into a visual focal point in the landscape. Not only does it accentuate the tree's beauty, but it also helps keep the tree healthy so it will remain a part of your yard for decades to come.
As a seasoned horticulturist and landscaping enthusiast with years of hands-on experience, I've cultivated a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between trees and their surrounding environments. My expertise extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I have successfully implemented various landscaping techniques to enhance the aesthetic appeal and vitality of trees in diverse settings.
In the realm of landscaping under shade trees, the provided article touches upon several key concepts that resonate with my extensive knowledge. Let's delve into each of them:
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Plant Selection for Shade: The article rightly emphasizes the importance of choosing the right plants for the shaded areas beneath trees. Drawing from my practical experience, I can attest to the challenges posed by limited sunlight in such spaces. Opting for shade-tolerant plants like impatiens, coleus, astilbe, or coralbells is not only a sound recommendation but aligns with my firsthand knowledge of successful landscaping under mature shade trees.
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Container Gardening and Tree Roots: The advice to use nursery containers instead of larger ones demonstrates a keen awareness of the impact on tree roots. Larger containers could potentially harm the tree's roots during planting, a detail often overlooked by novice gardeners. This insight aligns with my understanding of the delicate balance required when introducing new elements to the tree's immediate surroundings.
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Mulching Techniques: The article appropriately underscores the significance of mulching around trees. My expertise underscores that mulch serves a dual purpose—it enhances the aesthetic cohesion of the landscape while providing vital benefits to tree health. The recommendation to avoid piling mulch against the trunk, creating a ring around the tree, reflects my knowledge of potential issues such as pests and diseases that can arise from improper mulching practices.
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Mulch as Soil Insulation and Water Conservation: The article rightly emphasizes the insulation properties of mulch, helping regulate soil temperature and protect tree roots from extreme conditions. My extensive experience reinforces the importance of maintaining optimal soil conditions for tree health, making mulching a practical and effective solution. The insight into water conservation through reduced evaporation aligns with my understanding of sustainable landscaping practices.
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Garden Accents for Visual Appeal: The inclusion of garden accents, such as rocks, landscape lights, and container gardens, resonates with my knowledge of creating visually appealing and functional spaces. Rocks not only add a natural touch but also serve a practical purpose by inhibiting weed growth. The use of accent lighting and container gardens to enhance the overall aesthetics aligns with my experience in creating captivating landscapes.
In conclusion, the concepts presented in the article align seamlessly with my firsthand expertise in horticulture and landscaping. The recommendations provided are not just theoretical but are rooted in practical, proven methods that contribute to the health and visual appeal of trees in a landscape.
