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Trees and Grass

Dig2006Dig2006 Posts: 65
in Plants
So I am going to be planting a tree in the garden and will be therefore cutting a large hole out of the turf.  Once it is planted and back-filled, so for example lets say the circular area without grass ends up about 60 or 70cm wide, should I add some of the turf back around it?  I know it wil naturally grow back a bit, but my question is what size are should you leave around the tree without grass?  Thank you.
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Posts

  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Depends on what the tree is, what you putting in there? 
  • alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OFalexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF Posts: 163
    As the tree is still young you want to reduce the competition of weeds and grasses around it so I'd leave a radius of at least a foot around the base. You could then mulch it to keep moisture in. They also recommend planting the tree slightly raised from the soil so it doesnt drown. Once established you'll  be fine with the grass around it. 
    Happy Gardening
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    To be honest I’d leave a circle with a 1m radius. That’ll give you a  chance to feed, water and mulch properly.   It’s what I’ve always done and it’s always worked for me. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I'd agree with @Dovefromabove .  And once the tree is mature and established, I'd personally continue to maintain an open circle around it.  Too many trees get bark stripped off them by strimmers, which lets in disease.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • Dig2006Dig2006 Posts: 65
    alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF said:
    As the tree is still young you want to reduce the competition of weeds and grasses around it so I'd leave a radius of at least a foot around the base. You could then mulch it to keep moisture in. They also recommend planting the tree slightly raised from the soil so it doesnt drown. Once established you'll  be fine with the grass around it. 
    Sounds good. Think I would go for something like this; foot radius.  What would i mulch with?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited March 2023
    In my post above I meant to say a circle with 1m diameter (not radius … sorry, life’s a bit hectic at the moment). A foot radius is not really enough to allow for mulching etc. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree with @Dovefromabove and @Liriodendron - you need a circle of around a metre diameter, to give any tree a decent chance of establishing and thriving.
    Later, when it's growing well, you can add spring bulbs or similar in the space if it's a nice open specimen. Until then - keep the area clear of grass and weeds with regular mulching of compost or bark etc. to keep the soil healthy.
    How well the grass eventually does around the tree, will depend on the spread of the tree itself and whether it's evergreen or deciduous.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    If the effect you want is natural, then have grass right up to the trunk.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    If you plant a young tree like that, it may not thrive, due to competition from the grass. That is why most experts would agree with the previous comments and go for a metre of clear space around the trunk.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Dig2006Dig2006 Posts: 65
    Thanks for all the info everyone.  The tree will only be about 2.5 to 3 metres when mature. Its not a huge tree. Whilst 1m is being advised, it would look at bit crazy in our lawn, so I think I will take my chances and leave about 70 cm across (35 radius).  And will mulch.  Ove time if tree doing well I will let the grass grow close to the bark
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