Sometimes, the soil around the trees in your yard washes away or compacts so much that it reveals the tree roots. Not only can this look unsightly, but exposure to the elements can eventually harm the tree because the roots can dry out and take in fewer nutrients. This eventually causes the tree to die and topple over.
If you can see tree roots, don’t automatically call for tree removal in Groton, CT. With a few tips on how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots, you can save the tree and make your property look more beautiful.
Protect the Roots First
Before you start landscaping around trees with an exposed root system, it’s important to protect the roots so they don’t sustain any additional damage. Usually, this means adding soil and mulch to the area. Covering the roots with a few inches of well-drained sandy soil or loam offers additional protection as well as a place to add more plantings if you desire.
Covering the tree’s roots with a layer of organic mulch is the easiest way to make your yard look well-maintained and ensure root health. Organic mulch made from tree bark or composted leaves can help the soil retain moisture while also offering a layer of protection against heat and cold. It also delivers vital nutrients back into the soil to support healthy tree growth.
Other Ideas for Enhancing Your Yard With Landscaping Around Trees
The secret of how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots is taking the conditions under the tree into account when choosing plants and other features. Keep in mind that whatever you plant will compete with the root system for water and nutrients, so choose plants like shade-loving ground cover that thrive in those conditions.
You can also add interest around a tree by adding a bench to encourage relaxing in the shade, using landscape stones around the perimeter of the mulch to define the area, or surrounding the tree with pea gravel to supply texture and support good drainage. Planting shade-tolerant grass around the tree after replacing the soil can also help prevent soil compaction and solve drainage issues, keeping the roots underground where they belong.
One idea that’s increasingly popular for landscaping around trees is adding a raised bed and filling it with flowers or other plants. While attractive, adding this much soil around the base of the tree will eventually kill it by depriving the roots of oxygen. As the tree becomes weaker, it can’t defend itself against disease, either.
Turn to the Tree Care Experts for Help
If you’re unsure of how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots, get in touch with Lamb’s Tree & Plant Health Care, the local experts in all things landscaping. We’ll help you find the right solution to the issue and give you a beautiful yard. If the tree is beyond help, we can cut it down and provide stump grinding and removal and beyond. Stable Trader
