How to Landscape the Right Way Following Tree Removal
A dead, damaged, or ailing tree may represent a real hazard to life, limb, and property. If you must take a tree out (a job best left to professional arborists), there’s a lot to consider post-removal.
Removing a tree has an impact on your yardscape. Not just in terms of the immediate after-effects, but also the long-term change to the property’s environment. Thoughtful, savvy post-tree-removal efforts minimize negative impacts and maximize landscaping opportunities.
Dealing With Tree Remnants
An arbor care company may or may not remove all the debris associated with taking down a tree. That woody and leafy residue can be put to good use, from firewood to mulch. In most cases, you don’t want to let it just lie. Sawdust and wood litter may choke out grass.
A tree stump offers wildlife habitat as well as unique “decoration,” contributing its own aesthetics to your yardscape. Keep in mind that even if you remove the stump, the dead tree’s roots remain underground. You may want to dig those out as best you can to avoid settling and clear space for new plantings. If those aren’t major concerns, you can also allow them to naturally disintegrate, which releases nutrients into the soil.
Addressing Soil
You’ll likely be dealing with some soil compaction associated with the equipment involved in removing a tree. Loosen and otherwise restore compacted soil by forking or employing mechanical aeration. Leveling the holes or hollows left behind after a stump and/or roots are removed helps avoid drainage issues and other problems stemming from uneven ground.
Planting After Tree Removal
The loss of a tree has plenty of ramifications. Even a small maple or pine casts shade and buffers against breezes. Removing one changes the way sunlight and airflow affect your yardscape.
You could plant sun-loving ornamentals, another tree, or perhaps large shrubs. You’ll often find greater success setting new woody plants, including trees, some feet away from where the original one stood. That’s especially true if the stump and/or roots of the bygone tree remain, as these limit space for the replacement’s root system. It’s also a good idea if the removed tree suffered from disease.
Address any bare soil left behind post-tree removal. Such spots are vulnerable to erosion from rain, wind, and frost-heaving. Planting groundcover such as grasses or forbs will help quickly secure and shield the soil.
Be Strategic About Post-Tree Removal Landscaping
The loss of a tree is, without question, just that: a loss. But it’s also an opportunity, a chance to reshape your property. If you need to take out a tree, start thinking off the bat about post-removal restoration and replanting to best protect your yardscape. If you live in Hayward, CA or a surrounding area and need tree removal services, make your first call to ArborTech.
