(I'm new to this sub so sorry if anything is not exactly right and I don't know much about this stuff. let me know if you need clarification for anything.)
My dad is heavily considering cutting down 2 very old oak trees in our yard because the turf grass cant grow under them and the acorns are 'causing mud'. This makes me VERY upset for so many reasons but I'm here bc I need plant recommendations to help convince him to not do it.
I would really appreciate some recommendations for lawn plants that work well under these oak trees. Here are some points to consider:
- shady
- sometimes muddy
- we have dogs
- don't want anything that grows too tall (so he can play fetch with dog and walk over)
- Lawn in the Connecticut
- hardiness 6b
Thank you so much!
Edit: Photo of the trees: https://imgur.com/a/wuAn500
by Plus_Contest_126
12 Comments
pennsylvania sedge?
And here’s a nice video of David Tallamy explaining oaks as a keystone species if your dad is open to watching: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=M54o9052btE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=M54o9052btE)
SO MANY OPTIONS.
1. Just mulch the area. Woodchips. Probably the hardiest option if you are really going to be walking and playing with the dog in the area.
2. Ferns of all kinds love shade. Many are about a foot tall. Check out options here: [https://www.ct-botanical-society.org/gardening-with-natives/#tab-2083](https://www.ct-botanical-society.org/gardening-with-natives/#tab-2083)
3. Solomon’s seal. Perennial, deciduous.
4. Wild ginger. Nice spreading shady groundcover. Asarum canadense is deciduous, Asarum arifolium is evergreen. [https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/asarum-arifolium/](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/asarum-arifolium/)
Avoid liriope, it is invasive.
I don’t have advice bc I am here to learn too just wanted to say thank you for protect the trees and it is nice your dad is remaining open to your perspective! I hope the sub helps him to come around!
I’m also Connecticut 6b .
If it’s sometimes muddy, the *worst* thing he could do is cut down a tree. Trees take up groundwater. The man who lived here before us cut down every single tree in the yard except a red maple out front. The back is a muddy mess whenever it rains. If I go back on Google maps a few years, I can see that many years ago the back was covered in trees, which was sensible. I’ve been planting, but it will be years before the trees are big enough to take up significant amounts of water.
You’re going to lose a lot of Cool.
Summers are getting worse too.
Hellebore?
My house has giant oaks. My parents house is about a half mile away (walking distance, not as the crow flies). It’s easily a ten degree difference between the two yards. My mom will say come for a swim and I’ll say but it’s cool in my yard.
As for the mud, no solution. I have the dog that made a mess of the barely there grass. I’m trying a mix of turf type tall fescue and clover (I know this is no lawns, the front is being transitioned now. The back has some grass for the kid and dog). The other part is mulched.
did he get a permit to cut them down?
Chiming in to say that Oaks are a keystone species and a powerhouse of good for the environment and ecosystem. I hope there is some way to save it.
https://directnativeplants.com/powerhouse-keystone-species-plant-an-oak/
Just let him know how many trenches and holes will be created over the years when the root system of those giant trees starts to decay if it is cut. I had to remove 2 damaged trees from my yard and I have to be careful not to twist an ankle on some of my now-not-level lawn.
Is he open to a mulched bed underneath them instead of lawn grass? There are a lot of beautiful native shade perennials (check out prairie nursery for examples) especially ones that love wet soil and will soak up excess water. If the main concern is the lawn then cutting the trees is a bad idea, there’ll be waaaaay more standing water, and it’ll also be far more susceptible to droughts, which we’re having more and more of the last few years. If the house is shaded by the trees removing them will cause the heating and cooling costs will go up, and it will also decrease the property value, if that’s a consideration.
White clover is a great trample-resistant lawn alternative that soaks up a lot more water than typical mowed lawn grass, also tolerates shade. Plus it makes beautiful flowers mid spring.