More on Landscape Structure

To-date, we've defined our spaces for play, entertaining and transitioning and are beginning to think about those surfaces. Should they be grass or hardscape (stone, wood, etc)? Our goal is to minimize non-native, maintenance-intensive lawn to what is essential and to plan, stage, and eventually plant a low-maintenance landscape layered with primarily native, and some non-native, plants. One yard at a time, we are improving our own individual ecosystems while creating lush, cozy, inviting outdoor living spaces for our friends and family.

We have decided on the locations of additional shade trees and have mentally mapped new beds as well as extended existing beds. To keep it simple (the artistry is in the planting beds), we are sculpting long, smooth, shallow curves and then loading them with 6-8" of recycled tree chips from a local tree service. But I have to pause here to clarify.

Shade trees are typically defined as trees that mature at a height greater than 50 feet. Understory trees are just that. They live in the shadows of shade trees. Our healthy landscapes should always include a combination of shade trees and understory trees, but at this stage of planning, our focus is shade trees. Like hardscaping, they should be viewed as a permanent element within the design, almost impossible to move once established.

Aesculus pavia (Red Buckeye)

Some of the most productive trees for a healthy landscape include our native Oaks, Maples, Poplars, and Hickories, which become massive trees. They not only mature at a height greater than 50 feet (a 5-story building), but they can get 40-60 feet wide. In order to limit competition for light and water, I typically space shade trees no less than 20-30 feet apart, allowing for 5-10 feet of overlapping canopy. I also try to stagger tree placement and always use a variety of trees. At this stage, it's important to know the mature height and width of trees you are considering. For a list of recommended eastern US native trees and their mature sizes, use the Connect page to sign up for E-News.

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

Next, we will discuss the sizing of patios and decks as we continue to think about the structure of our landscape before plant palettes.