How to Landscape Around Trees: Landscaping Design Ideas Around Trees

Trees not only provide shade, beauty, and a connection to the natural world, but they also offer unique opportunities for creative landscaping. Landscaping around trees is a fantastic way to transform your outdoor space into a stunning, seamless blend of nature and design. 

Today, we’ll show you how to landscape around trees and provide you with some landscape ideas around trees. Trees shouldn’t be seen as an obstacle that can interfere with your landscaping plans, but instead as a beautiful, natural accent that adds a new dimension to your outdoor spaces.

By exploring these stunning ideas for landscaping around trees, you can achieve the perfect balance between nature and your personal outdoor oasis.

The Challenge of Landscaping Around Trees

Landscaping around trees presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. While the presence of trees can elevate the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space, it also requires careful consideration to ensure the health of the trees.

Let’s take a look at some of the challenges that commonly arise when discussing landscape design around trees and learning how to landscape around trees.

Protecting Tree Roots and Health

Trees are living organisms with complex root systems that extend far beyond what we can see above ground. These roots are vital for the tree's stability, nutrient absorption, and overall health. When landscaping around trees, it's critical to protect roots from damage, compaction, and disturbance. 

Maintaining Aesthetic Cohesion

Effective landscaping should enhance the beauty of both your trees and your overall outdoor environment. Achieving aesthetic cohesion involves thoughtful design and plant selection, and is one of the key elements of balance in landscape design. 

Dealing with Shade and Sunlight Variability

The canopy of a mature tree casts shade and filters sunlight in ways that can both challenge and inspire your landscaping efforts. Understanding how to manage shade and sunlight variability is essential when learning how to landscape around trees. 

Should You Landscape Design Around Trees or Cut Them Down?

When thinking about how to design my backyard, one of the fundamental decisions you may face is whether to learn how to landscape around trees or remove them altogether. This choice has far-reaching implications for the aesthetics, ecology, and overall ambiance of your outdoor space. 

So, what should you do when it comes to landscaping around trees? Let’s look at the factors that many people consider when determining whether to keep or remove their trees. 

Reasons People Consider Cutting Trees

Before we talk about the advantages of landscaping around trees, it's important to understand that sometimes tree removal is a good option. Trees can occupy a significant amount of space in your yard, potentially limiting your options for other landscaping features or functional areas.

Also, some trees require regular maintenance, such as pruning, to ensure safety and prevent overgrowth. This maintenance can be perceived as a hassle, leading many people to consider removing their trees.

In certain cases, trees may pose a risk to structures, utilities, or neighboring properties due to their size, age, or health. For example, very old, large tree roots can damage your home’s foundations, while unruly branches could break a window or fall on your roof during a storm.

Tree roots can also wreak havoc on underground water pipes. If you notice signs of drainage problems, your tree roots could be to blame. You may need to learn how to fix drainage in yard, explore types of drainage solutions, or contact someone who fixes yard drainage problems. 

Understanding the Value of Trees

In a majority of cases, learning how to landscape around trees is the better option. Trees add natural beauty, character, and visual interest to your landscape. Their changing foliage throughout the seasons can be a source of delight and wonder.

Trees also absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and provide important habitats for wildlife. They can even help mitigate climate change, reduce air pollution, and stabilize soil. If you’re lucky enough to have a fruit tree, it can even provide you with delicious food during the year.

Plus, trees provide shade, reducing the need for air conditioning and saving energy costs. Their cooling effect can make your outdoor space more comfortable. Mature trees can significantly increase the value of your property and enhance your home’s curb appeal. 

Working with Nature: The Case for Landscaping Around Trees

Rather than viewing trees as obstacles, consider them as valuable assets in your landscape design. Landscaping around trees can elevate the overall beauty and aesthetic appeal of your property. Trees serve as natural focal points and can complement other design features.

Established trees are one of the best sustainable landscape design ideas. A well-planned landscape around trees can also create diverse habitats for wildlife, from birds to insects. This contributes to a thriving ecosystem in your backyard. 

Because established trees don’t require much additional water, they’re also a great drought tolerant landscape idea. Plus, the trees from shade can keep other plants cooler and happier during the hot summer months. 

How to Landscape Around Trees: Our Favorite Landscape Ideas Around Trees

Whether you have a majestic oak, a graceful maple, or any other tree species gracing your yard, there are numerous creative and practical landscape ideas to explore. Here are some of our favorite landscape ideas around trees.

If you’re wondering how to landscape around trees with exposed roots, looking for some simple tips for landscape design around trees, or want to make your trees the focus of your backyard landscape, you’ll find it all in these ideas for landscaping around trees. 

Ground Covers and Low-Growing Plants

Planting ground covers and low-growing plants around the base of your trees can create a lush and visually appealing landscape. Explore some DIY landscape design ideas like creeping thyme, hostas, or vinca for a carpet of color and texture that complements the tree's stature.

Building Raised Beds and Borders

One of the best landscape ideas around trees is to build raised beds or borders around your trees. Learning how to design a landscape bed not only provides a clear separation between tree and garden but also offers a perfect canvas for vibrant flowers, herbs, or even vegetables.

Creating a Tree Bench or Seating Area

Transform the shaded area beneath your tree into a cozy retreat by installing a tree bench or seating area. These simple landscape ideas around trees invite relaxation and create the perfect spot for reading, enjoying a cup of tea, or simply basking in your beautiful tree's presence.

Incorporating Decorative Features Like Lanterns, Ornaments, and Bird Feeders

Add charm and personality to your tree-centered landscape by incorporating decorative features like lanterns, wind chimes, garden ornaments, or bird feeders. These different types of landscape design can infuse character and a sense of enchantment into your outdoor space.

Using Layers and Texture

Create depth and interest by playing with layers and texture in your landscape design. Combine plants of varying heights, shapes, and leaf textures to create a visually dynamic and harmonious composition. Find some uses for decomposed granite to add texture to the ground as well.

Implementing Water Features

The soothing sound of flowing water can elevate the ambiance of your outdoor space. Consider installing a small pond, fountain, or bubbling rock feature near your tree to add an element of tranquility and attract local wildlife. You can even explore swimming pool landscape ideas for your yard!

Designing Pathways Around the Tree

One of our favorite landscape ideas around trees is to design winding pathways around the tree to walk on as you meander through your garden. Use materials like flagstone, gravel, or wood chips to create a natural-looking path that complements the tree's surroundings.

Keeping it Simple With Mulch

For low-maintenance and clean landscape ideas around trees, opt for a simple layer of mulch around the base of your tree. Mulch not only helps retain soil moisture but also serves as a neutral backdrop that allows other landscape elements to shine.

Putting a Patio Around the Tree

Elevate your outdoor living experience by building a patio around the tree. A well-designed patio can serve as a gathering space for family and friends, offering a shaded oasis in the heat of summer. These DIY fire pit landscaping ideas can make your summer nights even more fun.

Need Help With Landscape Design Around Trees? Get in Touch With Alpharetta’s Most Trusted Landscaper: Michaelangelo’s

If you’re looking for a reliable, experienced Alpharetta landscape design company, look no further than Michaelangelo’s. With more than 20 years of experience, our expert team offers full service landscaping solutions for both residential and commercial customers. 

Whether you need a landscape designer or landscape architect, we can assist with everything from yard maintenance using a weekly yard maintenance checklist to complete outdoor landscape installs, bringing our own ideas to the table or turning yours into a reality.

Our team knows how to landscape around trees - we’ve seen and done it all! We can provide you with the best advice and lots of different landscape ideas around trees that will combine nature and beauty to create a stunning outdoor oasis. 

As well as teaching you how to landscape around trees with exposed roots and sharing general ideas for landscaping around trees, we excel in other areas of landscaping, including drainage solutions. We can plan and install outdoor drainage you’ll never have to worry about again!

Wrapping Up Our Guide to Landscaping Around Trees Ideas

As we wrap up our guide to landscaping around trees, the take-home message is simple: Don’t let your trees get in the way of your landscaping plans! Rather than an obstacle, trees can be a beautiful addition to your outdoor spaces, enhancing your yard’s aesthetics and providing important shade. 

If you’re planning some landscaping around your trees, need to learn how to landscape around trees with exposed roots, or need some ideas for landscaping around trees, give us a call! We offer elite landscaping in Alpharetta, GA, and would love to help you create a stunning outdoor environment. 

Contact Michaelangelo’s to transform your outdoor areas into beautiful, functional spaces!