Trees are beautiful on their own. But when you combine the natural beauty of a tree with human ingenuity and a flair for design, you can create something out of this world. These tree landscaping ideas will help you do exactly that: turn your garden, yard, or property from so-so to incredible.
Trees: Pros & Cons
Without trees, we’d all be dead. This means that trees are, inherently, great. However, when it comes to working with trees on your property, there are some advantages and drawbacks to be aware of.
Taking time to consider the pros & cons of trees can help you develop the best tree landscaping ideas.
Tree Pros:
- Trees provide shade. Well-plotted trees can shade a porch or seating area during summer.
- Trees add beauty to a landscape.
- The fruits and leaves of various trees are medicinal and have culinary uses.
Tree Cons:
- Trees can soak up water and leave the ground dry.
- Large roots can create hazards.
- Trees take up tons of nutrients and compete with other plants.
The Best Tree Landscaping Ideas & Tips
Keeping the pros & cons of your trees in mind, check out these fantastic tree landscape ideas
Tree Landscape Idea #1: Asian Garden
Combine a Japanese maple tree with a labyrinth of hedges to create a beautiful, meditative garden. Koren non-mowing grass adds a nice, low-maintenance addition. This is a long-term project that may take more than a decade to come to fruition!
Tree Tip: Maintain the Soil Level
Maintain the soil level at the trunk of your trees! Avoid creating raised garden beds because the soil may trap moisture on the bark of your tree which can cause it to rot.
Tree Landscape Idea #2: Build a Tree Deck
If you’ve got a large tree growing somewhat close to your house, build a deck around it! The effect will be that the tree seems to push through the deck itself.
Tree Tip: Plant Tree-Friendly Plants
Certain trees provide different types of filtered light and/or shade. Talk to a local gardener to figure out what sort of plants would thrive under your tree.
Tree Landscape Idea #3: A Tree Swing / Chair
It’s a classic, but not one to overlook. If you have kids, string a tire swing to the branch of one of your trees. Or if you’re getting on in years, consider getting a swinging chair or two-seater that you and a friend/spouse can relax in while supported by the tree.
Tree Tip: Rocks vs. Plants?
Some people insist on surrounding the base of their trees with plants. However, you can do neat things with bricks and stones as well. Plus, rocks require a lot less maintenance than plants!
Conclusion
There are lots of things you can do with trees. Depending on where you live and what sort of look you’re going for, there is pretty much an infinite number of possibilities for you to work with.
Naturally, the climate and local environment play a large role. Some of the ideas in this article might work differently if you live in, say, the desert. On that note, check out these wild desert landscape tips!
