One of the best ways to create a polished, professional look to your yard is to create beautiful landscaping around trees. These opportunities help soften the look of the trunk while adding in pops of color and filling out an otherwise empty space. Sometimes, however, you may find that there are exposed roots around your tree. What do you do then?
Today, we’re taking a look at how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots in ways that are safe for the tree and give your yard the visual appeal you want.
Landscaping Around Exposed Tree Roots
Learning how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots is important for creating the overall look you want as well as protecting the health of the tree. After all, a tree is a living thing and exposed roots mean it’s unable to get as many nutrients from the soil while also being left vulnerable to the elements. Landscaping around trees, however, offers homeowners the opportunity to create a beautiful, professional looking space. Whether you hire professional landscaping services or consider DIY landscape design ideas (which could hurt curb appeal–leave it to the pros!), don’t miss out on the chance to make your yard a show stopper!
Regardless of deciding how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots, make sure you’re not causing more damage than good by avoiding too much material around the base of the trunk (creating a volcano shape at the base of your tree). This piling of materials against the tree trunk doesn’t help the exposed root system so much as it opens your tree up to other issues like tree rot or disease.
A few low-maintenance lawn ideas for how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots include:
- Covering tree roots with soil
- Adding mulch to protect tree roots and create visual interest
- Using ground cover plants around trees with exposed roots
- Landscaping around trees using rocks
Covering Tree Roots With Soil
The first, and probably most obvious, way for how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots is to cover the root system with soil. You may also consider mixing this soil with other things like compost to give the roots essential nutrients over time.
Tree roots should be ideally covered by 12”-15” of topsoil. This means if you’re adding soil as part of how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots, make sure you’re making it deep enough to protect the root system from the elements. This becomes especially important to consider for landscaping ideas in Upstate NY where the summers are hot and the winters harsh.
Adding Mulch to Protect Tree Roots
Another simple solution for how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots is to use mulch. Mulching can be anything from organic materials like wood chips to inorganic materials like small pebbles. Not only does mulch help protect the root systems (you may consider adding topsoil then mulch for even better protection), but it helps create a finished look that can boost curb appeal in the front or add visual interest in the backyard!
Using mulch as a method for how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots also gives you the chance to create a more interesting spot in your yard. You could add a water feature installation to landscaping around a tree for a zen feeling, designate an intimate seating area for afternoon conversations, or even use hardscaping services to create walkways adjacent to mulching that create accessibility and a pro look.
In Case You Didn’t Know: NVS Waterscapes, a division of NVS Landscapes, is ready to build you the water feature installation of your dreams. Let our professionals create an incredible water feature that transforms landscaping around a tree with exposed roots from boring to amazing!
Using Ground Cover Plants Around Tree With Exposed Roots
Plants provide homeowners the opportunity to soften the look of their yard as they’re learning how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots. Shade-friendly ground cover plants can give your landscaping the pop of color it needs to stand out for all the right reasons! Combined with new mulch, learning how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots is a breeze.
Before you choose which plants you want as part of your backyard flower garden ideas, ensure you’ve chosen ones that will thrive in your region. These plants will be much lower maintenance and also let you disturb the exposed root system less if you’re not having to constantly replace dead or dying flowers!
Landscaping Around Trees Using Rocks
Last up on our list of methods for how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots is to use rocks. Have you driven past a neighbor’s house and noticed beautiful, strategically placed rocks at the base of their trees? Natural stones can add major visual interest to landscaping around trees without damaging exposed root systems. In fact, they may be the ideal distraction to keep passersby from noticing any protruding roots.
Whether it’s front yard landscaping ideas with rocks to boost curb appeal or backyard pebbles added to prevent further erosion around tree roots, natural stones provide the perfect finished look. In addition to being visually stunning, rocks basically require little-to-no upkeep! This makes current landscaping trends such as creating minimalist front yard landscaping ideas very popular for both new and experienced homeowners alike.
As you can see, learning how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots doesn’t have to be super difficult. The most important parts are ensuring you’re protecting the roots properly, getting the tree the nutrients it needs, and coming up with a landscape design plan for a finished look you love. Ready to refresh your landscaping? Contact us and let the best landscape professionals in Upstate NY breathe new life into your yard!
Looking for more landscaping inspiration for your Upstate NY home? Check out these resources:
