Are you unsure of how to design a landscape around mature trees? Large trees add beauty and value to your yard, but landscaping around them can be challenging. Past the Gate’s experienced luxury landscape contractors know the ins and outs of landscaping around established trees, helping you keep them looking their best while achieving your landscape design goals.
Tips for designing around mature trees:
- Make trees a focal point in your landscape design
- Learn how to protect trees at every stage
- Choose plants for landscaping that thrive in dry, shady conditions
- Support trees by preserving existing irrigation and drainage patterns
- Use tree-friendly hardscaping practices
- Enlist expert help – don’t go it alone
How to Design a Landscape Around Mature Trees
Landscaping around large trees requires a bit more finesse than updating the typical garden bed. Damage you inflict on trees may not be apparent for months or years following landscape renovations, making planning and prevention crucial to protecting them. Our experienced landscape architects have you covered, explaining what you need to know about landscaping near trees.
Make Mature Trees an Intentional Landscape Feature
When designing a custom landscape around existing trees, take a minimalist approach. Work with the existing root system rather than reshaping the area beneath the canopy. Stick to low-growing plants, making the tree the star of the show. Emphasize your tree with uplighting. Repeat tree colors, textures, or forms in nearby landscaping. Place patios, benches, or other outdoor features to draw attention to the tree, where they’ll benefit from the tree’s shade.
Protect Tree Roots During Landscape Installation
To prevent tree root damage, disturb the ground as little as possible. Avoid digging too deeply, particularly in the critical root zone and area shaded by the canopy. Do not cut or grade near major roots unless an arborist verifies it’s safe. Avoid overcrowding the area with plants. Place low-growing plants, ground cover, or mulch beneath the canopy. Avoid mulch or soil ‘volcanoes,’ leaving several inches of space from the trunk to preserve water and oxygen access. Avoid weed barriers, which prevent roots from getting the air and water they need and do little to fight weeds.
Install Plants that Thrive in Dry Shade
Tree canopies provide dry, shady conditions beneath. Plants that grow under mature trees must survive and thrive in limited sunlight and reduced soil moisture. Shade-tolerant, low-growing flowers, small spring bulbs, groundcovers, local woodland perennials, ferns, and sedge are best. Struggling to determine the perfect plant placement? Our knowledgeable horticulturists can help you create a beautiful design with the ideal options for your microclimate.
Preserve the Existing Irrigation and Drainage Pattern Surrounding Trees
Your trees impact how water flows through your yard and have adapted to your property’s natural soil and water conditions. Abrupt grading and architectural changes can be detrimental, so we recommend consulting with an experienced horticulturist before making changes beneath the tree canopy that may create conditions that damage your tree’s health. Use separate irrigation zones for mature trees, groundcovers, flowers, and shrubs, which have different watering needs. Direct downspouts and runoff away from fragile root zones and prevent standing water with subsurface drainage, bioswales, or rain gardens.
Practice Tree-Friendly Hardscaping
Irregular curved paths and garden beds beyond the canopy look more natural and visually interesting than straight symmetrical lines and landscaping that crowds under trees. They can also be an excellent way to protect tree roots from mowers and traffic. Keep compatible hardscaping 3-6 feet away from tree trunks to allow for growth. Choose lightweight, freestanding furnishings, avoiding additions that attach to trees or require deep support. Avoid concrete additions. Pier-supported structures and raised decks or walkways are safer for tree root systems. Raised beds must be carefully designed and installed to avoid the trunk and trunk flare and ensure roots can access ample water and air.
Don’t Go It Alone When Renovating Your Yard
Past that Gate knows how to safeguard your existing trees and landscaping during backyard renovation. We start with an in-depth landscape design consultation and site plan with photographs, identifying existing trees and features for preservation. During construction, we’ll establish a landscape and tree protection zone to prevent damage and soil compaction from groundwork, vehicle and foot traffic, and construction materials. Our in-house design-build team completes work in the best order to eliminate disruption to your yard and life, delivering stunning, lasting results that will provide beauty and enjoyment for years to come.
Plan for Success
Learn how to design a landscape around mature trees, uncovering new design opportunities with help from Past the Gate today. Contact us at 925-387-6731 to schedule a landscape design-build consultation in Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Oakland, Napa, Danville, Orinda, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Moraga, or Alamo today.
