Large Scale Central

Minor Problem....Big Trees

Gardening
#1

Off Topic…no trains in this area…yet.

I have 2 Spruce trees on the side of the house and under them nothing grows…except dandilions and some other broadleaf weeds. It’s generally a mess and hard to mow because there’s not enough growth to keep the mower from turning the area into a dust bowl. The only thing I can think to do is throw some cloth weed block down and mulch it. Will the weed block and mulch allow enough water to not hurt the trees? I know that putting dirt too high around them will kill them.

#2

Warren

The root work of trees generally expands as far out under ground as the branches do above ground.

You could try doing the weed barrier about halfway out from the trunk and see how that flies.

#3

The weed block is pourous so plenty of water will get through. As HJ mentioned the root systems extend out from the tree a lot further thatn the branches. Another alternative is to check out your local garden center for shade loving perienials and ground covers that tolerate dry conditions. Most good garden centers will have what they call around here “Jeepers Creepers” or “Stepables”. Theiir usually sedums, mosses, thymes and that sort of thing. Some ar marked “Shade Loving” and some are “Sun Loving”. Even something marked “Full Sun to Part Shade” may work.

#4

Roundup and then a bark topping.
jb

#5

It will probably get the bark topping, but the Roundup can spacifically says do not use over the root systems of trees. Last thing I want to do is kill the trees. I’d need a 2nd mortgage to get them cut down…:frowning:

#6

Yes, I was just about to warn you about going too crazy with the RoundUp. WeedBlock or similar products are pretty worthless in my experience (a dozen years as a landscape contractor). The weeds will grow through it and it just makes it tougher to pull them out. We use the spun material for keeping dirt out of gravel or keeping soil/rock layers seperated but that’s about it. The recycled rubber mats are pretty effective and tree friendly but the biggest they come in is 5’ diameter - http://www.amleo.com/index/item.cgi?cmd=view&Words=pm60 . Otherwise, just mulch and get a good long handled weeder.

-Brian

#7

One of the problems with growing anything under a conifer is the acidity of the soil. The sap, needles. cones and branch droppings wreck havoc with the soil PH. I had good temporary luck with a generous application of pelletized lime a few weeks before planting a good quality shade grass. The grass grew well for one season, but has all but disappeared this spring.

I think the mulch may be the way to go, but in my yard the needles and cones would overpower the mulch in a season or less, so I’d have to pull it up and replace it every spring. I’m leaning toward letting it go natural. Once the needles get thick very few weeds will grow.

JR

#8

So far I’ve just let it go natural but unfortunately the dandilions and one other weed seem to thrive on the mess. Yes, it does get messy under the trees with needles and small branches, but these are not Pines but Spruce so I don’t have a cone problem…just a walnut shell problem. I have 5 walnut trees and this is one of the 2 favorite spots for the squirrels to shuck the nuts. The other favorite spot is on my front porch. :frowning:

Oh, and Spruce trees only drip sap if they don’t like the color of your car…:confused: They hate yellow!

#9
Warren Mumpower said:
It will probably get the bark topping, but the Roundup can specifically says do not use over the root systems of trees. Last thing I want to do is kill the trees. I'd need a 2nd mortgage to get them cut down..:(
I know, it sounds like the old cliche......:) :)

I roundup all the time under my two huge spruces and four huge maples. Have for the last 20 years.
The trees are still there and growing bigger every year.
The maples, especially, have millions of little maples sprout up under them (in the mulch). They get the roundup.
The spruces have dropped so many cones and needles that they don’t need any mulch. They make their own. But when an occasional unwanted thing appears----roundup.
I guess I never read the instructions on the jug of roundup.
Good thing, huh?

jb

#10

Jon,

You said -
“Once the needles get thick very few weeds will grow.”

I would consider the leaves as mulch. Gather them from areas that you want to allow growth and place them extra thick in areas where you don’t want growth. Jan uses a heavy dose of “Preem”, which prevents seed germanation.

#11

Warren,
I sympathize. When you see pictures of my layout, there are very few plants growing on it. That is due to the 22 mature HedgeApple trees over it. If you figure out something, let me know too.
Thanks,
JimC.

#12

Rhododendrens like acid soil. Also have shallow roots. Shade loving varieties should be okay although it can be “iffy” whether they bloom or not if in continuous shade. Get the cheapest varieties as they’ll usually be the most hardy (easy to grow - that’s why they’re cheaper). Also not so expensive if you lose a couple. I’m in a forested area and most Rhodies grow just fine here. Azaleas too are nice although if you have deer there they’ll eat them. They won’t touch rhodies.

#13

Might be worth giving it a try, but I’ve still got to get rid of those damn dandilions…:frowning:

#14
Warren Mumpower said:
Might be worth giving it a try, but I've still got to get rid of those damn dandilions...:(
You remember that factoid about how cockroaches will survive a nuclear holocaust? Them and dandelions :( Just mow 'em down.