Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - July 17, 2008
From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Soils, Trees
Title: Effects of patio under large tree
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I would like to put in a patio under a fairly large tree. I understand a tree needs some open ground around it for air and water. Can I use flagstone leaving 6-10 inches of space between the stones? Or could I use something else like decomposed granite? Do you have any other suggestions?ANSWER:
Because this is the type of question that comes up fairly often, we would like to refer you to a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer that covers most of the answers to your question. There are a number of excellent information links in that answer, especially one about permeable paving surfaces, which specifically mentions flagstones laid without mortar. It would seem that your plan would work, but you do need to remember that those roots are going to be pushing up to the surface for oxygen and water, and the more they push, the more the flagstones will be disarranged. However, if your patio plan is flexible enough to permit you to move stones around from time and time, and avoid compacting the earth, your patio should turn out fine.
More Trees Questions
Can a fallen tree in Texas have pieces of it removed from Winona TX
October 20, 2012 - I was wondering if you could tell me if a tree has fallen down, is it legal for me to go and cut pieces off of it in the state of Texas. And if you happen not to know could you tell me who I would con...
view the full question and answer
Search for Silver Magnolia from Coram NY
July 11, 2012 - Hi, 20+ years ago I purchased a small tree labeled Silver Magnolia from a catalog. It was a sapling about 8 inches high when I first received it but amazing! The bloom the first year was as big as my ...
view the full question and answer
Wrapping a newly planted non-native Japanese maple from Fraser MI
October 01, 2013 - Does a newly planted Japanese maple need to be wrapped in burlap for the cold and snowy winter of Macomb County, Michigan?
view the full question and answer
Are Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurels native to the Texas/Mexico Border?
July 05, 2012 - I'm trying to determine whether Rhododendrons, azaleas and mountain laurel grow around the Texas/Mexican border. Are they native to this region?
view the full question and answer
Propagation of redbuds from shoots in St. Louis MO
July 17, 2009 - I have a beautiful, healthy old redbud tree that I love. Every year, I find baby redbud trees rooted all over my yard, Since they are deep, I can't seem to dig them out so I simply cut them down to...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |