Underplanting Large Trees: 5 Expert Tips
Planting around tree roots (especially when they’re giant and growing above the ground) is a dilemma that frustrates gardeners. With little to no planting space available, gardeners end up feeling defeated and either 1) don’t plant anything, or 2) end up planting a lawn around the tree—which has its own set of problems like damaging the trunk or roots with the mower, improper watering, etc.
It’s challenging, to be sure, but here are 5 tips and techniques that can help:
- Choose small-sized plants with small root balls to fit among tree roots (no 5-gallon plants!).
- If necessary, dig a triangular-shaped hole between the tree roots to plant.
- Loosen the plant’s root-ball, removing as much soil as possible—especially peat, as it repels water, causing plants to dry out, not to mention the environmental damage caused by harvesting.
- It’s critical to leave the tree’s root flare alone, keeping moisture-retaining mulch away from the trunk to avoid disease and rot.
- When digging, be careful not to damage tree roots, and don’t cut any that are thicker than a pencil.
Choosing plants with shallow roots, such as groundcovers, small bulbs, and grasses, are all good options for planting under daunting tree roots such as this. Photo by: Rebecca Sweet.
Shallow-rooted Iris 'Darjeeling' (bamboo iris) is a perfect dry-shade-loving plant that will thrive among the giant tree roots. Photo by: Rebecca Sweet.
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