Planning Garden Under Mature Maple

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
smord Rockaway, NJ Aug 22, 2008

Hi!

I just moved into new construction in Morris County NJ (Zone 6). I'm planning the landscape for our small front yard. Unfortunately, the front yard includes a mature maple that survived construction (foundation is about 10 feet from the base of the maple.) I'm hoping to plant a few **small** shrubs, a climbing hydrangea, and lots of bulbs and floral perennials. And some kind of shade, dry-tolerant ground cover for right under the tree.

Any advice would be appreciated, especailly about whether I need to worry about killing the tree (wouldn't digging the foundation have killed it if it was going to?).

It does get several hours of sun a day since the sun comes under the canopy (very tall tree with bare trunk) and strangely, there seem to be several **small** areas near the foundation where the grass is lush and the ground is moist...it looks like the gutters are dumping the rainwater there and the roots were probably cut away during construction....any idea how fast the roots are likely to grow back? Also, in big rainfalls water runs down our property (actually flooding is a problem in this area so I need to be careful to keep the ground sloped so the water runs away from the house....), so I'm HOPING it won't be TOO dry.....and our basement won't flood.....

Anyway, I'm getting a soil test, plan to double-dig the garden (what should I do about maple roots when I hit them?), and I'm looking for shade-tolerant plants that handle the levels of mositure in there particular areas...but I don't know how the maple will progress and if there are any other things to consider. And any plant recommendations are very welcome!!! (oh, and we have lots and lots and lots of deer....)

Thanks!
-Sarah

Post #5453019
Quote
lbrabec (Lynn) Omaha, NE(Zone 5a) Aug 22, 2008

Well,for a start, if it is a Silver or Norway maple it is difficult to grow most things under them.They have deep roots which can get into sewege systems and a lot of roots that are near the surface.If you can give us an idea of what kind of maple it is we could give you better advice.
Lynn

Post #5453328
Quote
pastime Waterman, IL(Zone 5a) Aug 22, 2008

I have two 100 year old Sugar Maple's growing about 10' apart. I call them the twins. I 've had no problem growing hostas under them for 18 years, but they need to be watered occasionally. If you have one of those soft, hybrid half-silver and half some other maple, you may have problems. Their roots are big hogs and grow close to the surface!

Post #5453387
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP