What to grow under a Maple Tree?
NutCracker20
18 years ago
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LinLee
18 years agojoepyeweed
18 years agoRelated Discussions
Need suggestions to fix sloping flowerbed under a tree
Comments (4)Maples don't like to share their space very much, and are more tolerant of plantings at the drip line. Within that perimeter, it is feasible to get a shallow bed by putting down commercial grade landscape fabric and adding soil, but I've had much better results with immature vinca settings and lots of leaf mold. Terracing will be disruptive to its root sytem, as is building up the soil by any considerable level, as it encourages shallow root formation. Rock placement is a fine idea to hold existing soil back....See MoreNeed help with an area under a large fir tree
Comments (3)Lay down 2" minus gravel for excellent drainage. Then cover with heavy landscape fabric over gravel pinning the fabric down. Then lay down extra heavy cedar chips. You'll have to add to these cedar chips every few years as they color into a nice cedar grey and break down but they are relatively inexpensive to replace/add to as time goes by and by doing so they will naturally keep away bugs and be good for your trees as well. Otherwise there is always concrete as an option?...See MoreTree experts: best way to trim backside of this tree as it grows?
Comments (12)I will preface this by saying I'm no official licensed landscaper (and I hate most landscaping styles), I'm just someone who has been into gardening since I was a child but I have only had small spaces to work with. I can't guarantee that what I say is best. here's some things I have done that might help you: I have planted undestory/small trees by walls (a flowering dogwood and a native plum). I just trim the lower branches on the wall-side all the way to the trunk and leave the others and top branches full. I do this until they are over the wall. Then, I remove the branches along the trunk so it is more tree-ish, it's similar to general tree-training except you are more aggressive on one side than usual. The house I live in came with crepe myrtles planted almost under the eaves of the house. They were too large to remove without paying a lot of money (and possibly damaging the house) and/or cutting them to ugly stumps and using chemicals. What we did was the same as the above but to a multi-trunked tree, letting the farthest trunks mature and keeping the others in check. Now that the farthest trunks are older and shade the bottom+top branches are taller than roof it doesn't need trimming as often. The species mentioned are all larger than yours and do not have a cascading habit so I'm not sure how much applies. Still, since these are just walls (not important foundation) and they are casting shade in one direction I think this spot can work especially since this is a tree with smaller leaves that are less likely to get hurt by growing up into the walls. Short Version: It being such a small height is the main concern to me as it will never fully clear the fence but due to being in a corner that discourages growth in the area you don't want it it's probably fine IMO. It's actually less crowded than the dwarf fig is and will create a nice effect with the small cascading leaves. Pair it with some cottage garden plants in pastel shades to complete the look (if you are in the American Southeast I have recommendations; cooler areas should have plenty of lists online)....See MoreNeed advice on planting under maple tree...
Comments (13)It's better for the tree to not grow directly in grass, plus it's hard to mow over tree roots. If you have a Norway maple you're going to have a super hard time growing anything under there (sliver maples might be similar) . One plant that actually does well is bigroot geranium, I am trying out corydalis in someone's garden and it's surviving. Hellebore might be an option further away from the tree trunk. Some other plants that do OK with dry shade under trees are pulmonaria, brunnera, solomon seal and sea oats....See MoreGhanima
18 years agojoepyeweed
17 years agomichaelzz
17 years agokellied
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9 years agojim_1 (Zone 5B)
8 years agojim_1 (Zone 5B)
8 years agoCollinGarden
8 years agogreenhearted Z5a IL
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7 years agoedlincoln
7 years agoBela Sethi
6 years agoKaren Grieve Tomblin
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6 years agoalmosthooked zone5
3 years ago
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