I have to patches of lawn that suffers greatly in the summer due to unrelenting sun and long droughts and heatwaves. What trees could I plant here? No fruit trees or trees with acidic leaves 😊. Can be tall trees.
Someone suggested 1 sweet gum and 1 beech tree. What do you think?
NnolyaNicekan
Depends on where you live! Plant local species
Anomonouse
Sweet gum is fine, it’ll be messy with thorny seed pods if you’re ok with that. Beech is nice, in some areas it is prone to disease. Mostly depends on your location, can’t give any suggestions unless we know what zone you’re in.
Some tree leaves may be more acidic than others but it will not affect the soil. There is too much microbial activity and other complicated chemistry for anything to acidify soil. Even sulfur applications (which acidify soil via creation of sulfuric acid) need to be applied regularly to maintain a lower pH. If you’re concerned about killing off the lawn then removing leaves or needles before they physically smother it is the only solution. Planting any shade tree will cause the lawn to thin out in like 20 years when it gets big enough 🤷
InazumaThief
have a look at r/nolawns and consider asking there too
goose_rancher
Birch and honey locust both cast a nice dappled shade.
Honey locust have the benefit of very small leaves that won’t mat down and kill turf. Make sure you get a thornless type.
6 Comments
Someone suggested 1 sweet gum and 1 beech tree. What do you think?
Depends on where you live! Plant local species
Sweet gum is fine, it’ll be messy with thorny seed pods if you’re ok with that. Beech is nice, in some areas it is prone to disease. Mostly depends on your location, can’t give any suggestions unless we know what zone you’re in.
Some tree leaves may be more acidic than others but it will not affect the soil. There is too much microbial activity and other complicated chemistry for anything to acidify soil. Even sulfur applications (which acidify soil via creation of sulfuric acid) need to be applied regularly to maintain a lower pH. If you’re concerned about killing off the lawn then removing leaves or needles before they physically smother it is the only solution. Planting any shade tree will cause the lawn to thin out in like 20 years when it gets big enough 🤷
have a look at r/nolawns and consider asking there too
Birch and honey locust both cast a nice dappled shade.
Honey locust have the benefit of very small leaves that won’t mat down and kill turf. Make sure you get a thornless type.
Nyssa sylvatica are pretty