Front yard

Hi
by Hi
Our front yard has a very large oak tree and nothing around it what can we do with this area. View from front porch. (Florida)
  6 answers
  • DF DF on Jun 03, 2015
    I also live in florida, central part. We have many large oaks, azaleas grow well around oaks and are easy to care for. Can't remember the name of this flowering bush, (has blue flowers!!) but it grows like crazy under one of my magnolias! Looks like this tree needs some thinning out and maybe a bench and few hardscape decorations? planters with flowers that like shade? Best of luck and post pics whatever you end up doing!
  • Lyn Marino Lyn Marino on Jun 03, 2015
    First thing to do is trim this tree up so that you will have some sun. I live in South Florida and have bromeliads that are shade loving. Also, since it is in your front yard, you could put some lawn chairs and a table and enjoy the out of doors and maybe add a bird bath and feeder.
  • Lori T Lori T on Jun 03, 2015
    Well nothing grows underneath it right, so put some bark there and perhaps a bench.
  • Lee Cunningham Green Lee Cunningham Green on Jun 03, 2015
    One of the things I love about my yard is my oaks, I have2 one in the front yard and one in the back, I trim the under hanging branches so I can walk easily under them, The Blue flowers, are fantastic I am looking to get some of them myself and for that reason, But I love the repreave from the sun these mighty oaks give. as for your yard, I would actually have a flowerbed close to the house to give some color when you are looking out as well as when you are sitting under your lovely tree looking in.
    • Lee Cunningham Green Lee Cunningham Green on Jun 03, 2015
      @Lee Cunningham Green Don't know if anyone got the name of the blue flower it's a Plumbago.. pretty shrub.. i want them.
  • Shari Shari on Jun 03, 2015
    At least from the camera's angle it would appear this tree's canopy needs to be drastically raised (the branches are hanging way too close to the ground). If you don't do anything else, a higher canopy and thinning out the center of the tree would allow more sun to make its way to the area underneath the tree. You probably won't ever have a full, lush patch of grass underneath the tree but allowing more sun through would at least decrease the size of the area where nothing currently grows. Once the canopy is raised and the branches are thinned in the center, you could ask your local garden center for recommendations of a shade-tolerant grass that could be planted around the base of the tree. Another solution would be to lay down a circle of mulch around the base of the tree (after trimming and thinning). Shade tolerant plants or flowers could be planted in the mulched area, if you desire, although oak trees, especially ones this size, have a lot of roots that can sometimes interfere with some (desirable) plants' ability to take root and grow well.
  • Hi Hi on Jun 03, 2015
    Thanks for all the suggestions greatly appreciated.