Sidewalk Landscaping
The tree in front of my house is surrounded with scraggly bricks and weeds. It looks quite neglected and I’d like to do something to make it look a bit more attractive. Are there city rules for this? Do I need permission from anyone? Can I just build a planter box around it? Has anyone…
The tree in front of my house is surrounded with scraggly bricks and weeds. It looks quite neglected and I’d like to do something to make it look a bit more attractive. Are there city rules for this? Do I need permission from anyone? Can I just build a planter box around it? Has anyone done anything like this – I’d appreciate some ideas.
This link provides tree care tips from the NYC Parks Dept. Also explains that Ivy can kill trees, and goes on to describe what types of plants can safely be planted in the tree pit.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/trees_greenstreets/tree_care_tips/planting.html
11.29am – There is some debate on this topic, but what is not debatable is that if a tree is stressed or old, that ivy can hasten its demise. Also, it is agreed that ivy growing into the canopy can be detrimental as it begins to inhibit the tree from its own photosysthesis. Most people do not try to prune or control the ivy on their trees which leads to problems later. It looks pretty, but if you are trying to maintain an old, or disease prone, street tree, its not the best idea to grow ivy up the trunk and into the canopy.
I don’t think that ivy kills the tree. The ivy will only take over if the tree is already dying.
i’ve noticed our own tree garden, that the more beautiful and lush you can make the garden, the less likely people are to allow their dogs to pee on it.
you should just wander around to get some ideas. ours is quite natural looking with just cobblestones and random bricks around the perimeter to give it a very nice look. you could even consider planting some mums now, as they are just about to be “in season.” they’ve got some great ones at the grand army plaza greenmarket.
OP, I think that this link will answer most of your tree care questions!
Good to see folks interested in taking care of our city trees!
http://www.bbg.org/vis2/2007/bigtrees/street/
That is helpful – how high is too high? I’m concerned about dog pee so i was thinking about a foot high.
I cleaned my tree pit up. There were no issues. I removed the weeds and bricks, then relaid the bricks along the perimeter, added new topsoil and mulch.
Do not plant ivy though. It will grow up the tree and over the years eventually kill it. All of the trees on Carlton between Dekalb in Lafayette that are covered in ivy are in trouble.
Also, if you build a planter box around it, be careful not to build it too high with too much dirt above the level of where it is now as that can damage the tree too.
Good luck. It’s more work than you think on a hot weekend. 🙂