Backyard is ugly!

last month

We recently added on to the back of our house. All of the grass died due to sprinkler damage during the project. The yard looks terrible. Looking for ideas on how to make it more useable. 1 issue is the giant oak tree, which I love, but is putting up root runners and shoots all over the yard by the swing set. I've considered expanding pavers towards the swing set. Unfortunately there is a few feet of undulation around the tree. We considered putting in a small pool but it would have to go near that tree and the roots might be a problem. If I re-sod with St Augustine the roots are sharp on the feet in that part of the yard. Pavers? Sod? Artificial turf? I can move that swing set. There was a little garden, the mulch area, which I will likely return to grass. I am in central Fl

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Comments (9)

dan1888
last month
Get an arborist to check the tree. You can trim small 2" surface roots and add 4" of topsoil to level the area.
Corey Smith
Original Author
last month
I will have someone come take a look and give a recommendation. 1-2 years ago when I had nice/thick looking grass back there I still had major issues with root runners hitting my bare feet. Thanks for the idea
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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last month
I am surprised to hear of an oak putting out runners or suckers. Are you sure that's where they're coming from? If you could add pix of the leaves of both suckers and tree maybe we could id them for you. Btw the tree looks fabulous.
Corey Smith
Original Author
last month
I believe it is a live oak. I have a huge one on each side of the house and are very pretty trees. I attached a few close ups of the root runner and leaves
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
last month
Suckers from any tree can be removed pretty easily. Oaks play an essential role in biodiverstiy and a healthy ecosystem. Large trees sequester massive amounts of carbon and support many species. I second the suggestion to get an arborist to come look at the tree (not a landscaping company or one of those companies that takes down trees!). Normally there is no charge for a consultation. That tree is old and worth saving if you can.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last month
last modified: last month
Yes, those do look to be oak suckers. I suspect the roots have been disturbed by works in the yard which encourage suckers. I'd just mow.

Do you enjoy gardening? If not I'd just keep the yard mown, remove the dead foliage from the various trees and shrubs and remove clutter in the way of plastic and wooden materials around the area. The mulched bit is messy so it would be best removed. Don't cover the root area of the oak with soil. It is bad for the tree and encourages suckers.
tracefloyd
last month
last modified: last month
Can you move the play structure behind the oak so it is not so prominent?

There are lots of colorful plants in Florida. I would want lush tropical foliage surrounding a green lawn.
Corey Smith
Original Author
last month
That picture looks very nice with the hard boarder around the tree. I can grow most of those tropical plants here, just have to make sure they are salt tolerant. We just had an abnormal freeze so there is a lot of brown leaves currently. On various parts of the yard I have many flowering plants that the butterflies are attracted to.

Yes I can attempt to move the playground to a different spot. Perhaps move it to the opposite side of the yard where it's get more narrow between the house and fence in order to try and get a larger area of nice green grass back under the tree
tracefloyd
last month
last modified: last month
It must be difficult to find plants that can tolerate both a hard freeze plus salt. I am so glad you have flowers that attract butterflies.

My image is AI generated and meant as inspiration with a weathered fence and a large oak. I am not familiar with Florida landscape plants.

We have used a fence cleaner and it does lighten the wood considerably. Use a broom and big bucket and then hose it off with a garden hose.