How Do I plant around an Oak Tree with exposed roots?

Plan - Prep - Plant Your Way To Beautiful Gardens And Landscapes

How Do I plant around an Oak Tree with exposed roots?

by Jeanneen Higgins
(Bati=on Rouge, LA)

I need to know if it is okay to plant on top of the roots of an oak tree and if so, how do I do it? I need step-by step instructions.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Jeanneen Higgins

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How Do I plant around an Oak Tree with exposed roots?

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Mar 14, 2011

Planting Around An Oak Tree With Exposed Roots
by: Kimberly

Hi Jeanneen, Kimberly here from landscape solutions for you. Thank you for asking the question on the steps to plant around an oak tree with exposed roots.

This is a good question and one many people have to deal with. You will want to make a raised bed around the tree. Here are some steps involved.

1. Decide how big you want the raised bed to be.

2. You will need to prep the area first by killing off any grass or weeds. There are many products available today that won't harm the roots. Wait a few days or up to a week. Rake and level the area out the best you can.

3. Bring in anywhere from four to eight inches of good quality top soil. The best type of top soil if possible is a combination of black dirt, saw dust, and sand. If this isn't available, look for a good quality top soil at a local nursery.

4. Spread the top soil around the tree, but don't put the top soil up against the trunk.

5. You will need to consider shade plants and flowers. I recommend doing dwarf shrubs as their root sytems aren' too deep. Consider perennial and or annual flowers.

6. Add some organic mushroom compost to the soil. You can design the bed with thought of some features as a series of rocks, a bird bath and feeder, or other outdoor accents.

7. Make sure you get on a good watering schedule and add some mulch, pine straw, or even decorative rocks as a border.

Raised beds around trees are common and create an enhancement to those eye sore roots above the ground.

Some shade perennials -
1. Foxglove
2. Bee Balm
3. Primrose
4. Bleeding Hearts
5. Bell Flowers

These are just a few. I hope this helps and let us know if you need some more suggestions. Thanks again for asking the question, and the best of luck to you. Feel free to ask anytime.
Kimberly

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Hello Mrs. Kimberly:
From Pamela
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I believe my Loropetalum
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