What to do around a tree! Design thoughts

8 years ago

Hello! I am a bit stumped for what to do around this tree in my garden. I was thinking a raised planter around the tree with sleepers with maybe a few other raised planters attached to it. But then I was thinking a seat, tiles slabs, lighting etc? I'm at a bit of a design loss and can't decide. The area gets sun during the afternoon, not on the morning or evening but it could be nice to have a burner in that area for summer evenings? I have included a few other images for context, a modern workshop etc. It is very gloomy today, apologies for the weather in the shots! Design ideas will be really welcome!

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User

8 years ago

Forgot to add what about painting the fence to run with modern theme. We've just painted ours a lovely slate colour, excuse the rest of the garden,it's work in progress!

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Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hello Paulie,
What about putting in some spring flowers... Something that's bright and pretty... You could have several that flower at differing times which would be lovely with the tree.. Bench nearby... looks like you have something that could be an outside table there too in the garden.. The reel :))
User
8 years ago
As your garden building is quite contemporary, I personally would have something like a raised planter maybe with some seating incorporated into the design like this .....
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PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
Like that colour brienneecarew,

What is that if you don't mind me asking! I need to do something to mine.. : ))
User
8 years ago
Hi aj. It's called silver copse from the Cuprinol ducks back range! It looks battleship grey when wet but drys to a lovely colour which really stands out against the green. :)
PRO
Caroline Crawford Garden Design
8 years ago
A garden seat is always a good idea particularly if it gets the sun. Fill in the base with cobbles etc as in this picture.

You could also paint the seat. It's not advisable to build a complete raised bed all around the tree as you shouldn't raise the soil level around the trunk (the tree will rot and die). Depending on your budget, you could also build a deck around and extending out from the tree. String up some battery operated fairy lights around the branches and away you go!
PRO
Fig Garden Design ltd
8 years ago
Think the raised bed idea is a good one, though be careful not to raise the soil level around the base of the tree. If you made the raised bed from sleepers it would double a simple seat. Then you could plant up under the tree with partial shade loving plant to get a really good stylish look.
PRO
CATO creative
8 years ago
Hi Paulie! Our client was thrilled with a simple raised planter and matching beds. The use of white stone looks lovely in the sunshine.
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PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
Hello briennecarew,

Thank you so much yes I thought it would be lovely with green foliage. :))
puddinghouse
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
No, please don't make a raised planter! Piling soil and mulch above ground level, or the 'flare' of where the roots spread out, would cause damage. Grade changes made near trees
will seriously disturb the delicate
relationship between roots and the
surrounding soil. This results in root
mortality, rot, decline in vigor and frequently,
death of the tree.

I am astonished at how many people, even landscapers, do this. It might look pretty for a while, but you'll end up killing or seriously affecting a perfectly healthy tree. You have a nice tree!
puddinghouse
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I like Caroline Crawford's idea of a garden seat. That would be lovely! Leave plenty of room for the tree to grow.
5northney
8 years ago
Perhaps you can utilise the large reel at the other end of the garden and up-cylce it into a seat? Additionally I would crown light the tree- pruning away lower branches to create a defined horizontal. To brighten the area you could plant a variegated climber- silver ivy - to link to the colour of the garden room? Oh and don't forget scent clove by to the seating.
gardensbyjill
8 years ago
I would lift the lower branches of the fruit tree and prune any crossing branches and build a deck from the corner of the wall to the fence and incorporate the reel into the suggestion above or use it as a table with seating around. Put unusual ceramics on the wall.
PRO
Bellord Plants
8 years ago
that shrub looks like a hydrangea to me.
super__paulie
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
thanks loads guys! sorry I have been away from my computer at work. Im glad you mentioned that I cannot raise the soil level around the tree for a raised planter, as this was one of the things I was really considering. I mean I still could but keep the soil level where it is currently. I think a white walled planter is great but a bit too Mediterranean for a cold North East England! it would remind me of being on holiday in Spain though...

Incorporating the large reel would be excellent as a table. It is huge but I could do whatever I want with that so I could cut it down, in half, whatever really. I think it would be cool with some stencilled writing painted on.

Im afraid I don't know what the plant is, and the tree looks amazing in summer, I have included a picture. I have no problems removing the plant and replacing with something more visually appealing. I have included a photo of a few weeks after I rotavated and seeded the lawn, it shows the tree looking slightly better!

I love the idea of a seat incorporated into whatever I go for!
PRO
Mark Cox Developments Ltd
8 years ago
You could design a seated area around the tree.
super__paulie
Original Author
8 years ago
PRO
TM Garden Design
8 years ago
Absolutely echo comments above regarding raising the soil level around the tree, a big no no as it will mean at best the tree will struggle and fail to thrive and will probably eventually die.

Decking is a good solution if you want to install a seating area around the tree, with planting around it to soften the edges. I would maybe look at a composite decking as it will mean less maintenance and will not become as slippery as timber in a shaded area, also if going for a contemporary look it can look very sleek, especially if choosing a grey or even black.

You could also add in some lower growing shrubs, herbaceous, spring bulbs etc and create a edge of woodland feel to this area, which would have interest and create a lovely view, whatever the time of year.

What ever you do good luck.
PRO
Jane Harries Garden Designs
8 years ago
Have a bench - straight or one of those curved ones for a tree - in front of it, but leave lots of room for the roots so they are not cramped or in compacted soil. Plant bulbs either side of the bench or near it - spring ones as above, snowdrops will light up the area on dark mornings, and daffodils. If you don't have a seat, or if you have somewhere near the bench that you can see them from, the little cyclamen coum in spring and cyclamen hederifolium in autumn love growing under trees and don't disturb the roots, and come in bright pink or white. They have pretty patterned leaves after the flowers.
alyper
8 years ago
It is best to plan a garden as a whole, then put into effect bit by bit as economy allows. Hard landscaping is expensive, so good planning essential. You need to look into softening the blank walls, and perhaps for starters for this corner, just two or three flowering shrubs, planted a metre from the tree with a bench at the front on the grass. So much nicer to sit on the lawn rather than on concrete! But do look into getting a plan for the whole garden first! Works out cheaper in the long run - right planting, right place. Garden centres a great source of advice.
PRO
TM Garden Design
8 years ago
Agree with you alyper, that way you will end up with a garden that works as a whole and not a hotch potch of ideas that do not connect with each other. A plan will also help you budget wise as you can then build it as you can afford it and also plan your budget.
puddinghouse
8 years ago
I agree it's not a hydrangea. Could it be an elder?

When you look at the photos and see the surrounding urban neighborhood, it is clear that there are very few other trees nearby. I would consider that tree to be a valuable addition to the neighborhood. I would think your neighbors would covet it - it's in YOUR garden and not along the street.

The white flowers are beautiful. The tree is a nice size and it's not too close to the brick wall. Treasure that tree. The bees and the birds will thank you for it!

Whatever you decide with your design, the tree is an important feature worth preserving. It can only add to the beauty of your urban garden. It actually gives you more scope for a lush, naturalistic presentation.
PRO
Max Simonis Gardens
8 years ago
Don't try any paving or raised borders. Do some nice planting......
Andrew Millar
8 years ago
briennecarew ,beautiful looking fence colour,show us some pics once your garden is finished x
chrissymington
8 years ago
B. Sludgey Desire
User
8 years ago
Thank you huffyboy!! :)

What to do around a tree! Design thoughts

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