Hello!
I have a large backyard in Brooklyn that has been left unloved and unattended to for years. What you are looking at is a mix of broken concrete and dirt, but mostly concrete. The roots of the tree really broke up the concrete in the back and will continue to do so – not looking to interrupt her but would like to make the backyard more usable!
I’m starting a clean-up for now, removing leaves and trash and glass. So much glass.
Any suggestions or ideas with a $2000 budget? I am considering graveling at least part of it to try to even out the ground.
I would appreciate anything!!
by fairisfoulisfair
4 Comments
There’s a source of free wood chips driveable from you(Parks Dept or SOMEONE is chipping trees and dumping it), I’m confident, think gravel$$ will dirty up and grow weeds so may as well build great soil ‘for free’ with chips instead, where you can. There may be ground up concrete somewhere for free too. How will you use the space?Grilling only? Sitting and gathering? I think the best $1500 is fencing and maybe a jackhammer rental? Dogwood and redbud are a good scaled tree, they flower and are native, maybe a lowlight evergreen shrub. Good luck!
It looks like the tree is covered by possibly poison ivy or some other vine? These will choke out the tree and kill it. A dead or unhealthy tree is dangerous.
You can kill the vines by cutting the vine near the base of the tree and the vines will dry up and die. Be careful, especially if it is poison ivy. Will need something to kill the base of the vines too. Look up some guides or ask others before proceeding.
Come the future, are you interested in building some [raised beds?](https://grownyc.org/resources/raised-bed-plan/) That may solve some questions about gravel vs grass etc.
The tree should go. It look like many trees/shrubs growing together in a clump and looks unhealthy but also a place for rats to build nests. It look like it’s also interfering with your electrical/ or cable wires.
Are you doing the work yourself? How much do you like getting your hands dirty?
Just tackle a little arcs time and maybe think of ways to repurpose the trees/branches into a fence or something.
I know you want to keep it but it might be time to say goodbye to her.