I have a large tree with surface roots all over! How can I make

Anne-Marie
by Anne-Marie
What plants can I put under this tree eo make a pretty garden under it! It’s by my front door
  10 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 10, 2018

    what is you location for the best recommendation

  • Holly Kinchlea-Brown Holly Kinchlea-Brown on Apr 10, 2018

    You don’t say what type of tree or where you are located...I’ll assume that it is a standard deciduous tree (not a walnut).and that you live in a 4/5/6 zone....if you add lots of soil to cover the roots you should be able to add any shade loving plants that will grow in your area (hostas, astilbe, ferns, woodland flowers, spring bulbs- tulips, hiacynthe, daffodil, crocus, snowdrops- if you cant add soil or the tree under which you wish to plant makes the soil too acidic for plants, you could add a series of different size pots with plants

  • Peter Peter on Apr 10, 2018

    What's the tree? What's the soil like?? Where is the sunny side??? Where does the rain runoff drain???

    Could you offer a photo of the tree roots and shrubs behind... the little shown shows some of your 'problem', but I'm sure it extends Forward, and that might show how severe your problem is.

  • Paula Paula on Apr 10, 2018

    Whatever the location, I would mulch and add hostas, and other shade lovers. You should water and fertilize extra. The tree will suck up the nutrients and the plants (especially evergreens) will suffer. I also like Holly's suggestion for plants in pots.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 10, 2018

    Make a small retaining wall, build up the soil, and use low growing blue star Juniper,yellow sedge grass for contrast,dwarf barberry in red, add some perennials as Hostas,ferns,hechera,for summer color, plant new guinea impatience,Coleous,Caldium,Torenia,begonia

  • Pat Ruge Pat Ruge on Apr 13, 2018

    I would look into getting rid of this tree altogether. Seems to me the roots are going under the house and could very well be destroying your foundation. They say the roots extend out as far as the canopy and from what I can tell, they appear to be extending 6-7 feet in front, which tells me they are doing the same thing to the back and under the foundation. Eventually they will push up and distort your foundation if they haven't already. Even a cement foundation is not safe.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Apr 13, 2018

    Pat is making a lot of sense, the roots grow in all directions and are probably encroaching on your foundation or even getting ready to get into your sewer lines. Hopefully they have not.

    If you still need or want the tree, then fill in with dirt and plant some shade loving flowers. I like the idea of a raised flower bed around the tree which would cover up the roots.

  • War15939090 War15939090 on Apr 13, 2018

    Agreed, this tree and stump need to go, the roots will ruin the foundation of your house!

  • Anne-Marie Anne-Marie on Apr 13, 2018

    I would love to get rid of it! I’ve asked my condo association about this! No answer yet

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Apr 14, 2018

    Sometimes if you tell them you will replace it with another tree, it helps.