You’ve probably seen beautiful trees in the wild growing with grasses around them, and you’re wondering if you should replicate the same effect in your landscape. But is it a good idea? Should you let grass grow around trees?
Hawkins Tree and Landscaping, a local tree company offering professional land-clearing services in Hope, AR, sheds some light on the matter.
Allowing Grass To Grow Around Trees Is a Double-Edged Sword
You can technically allow grass to grow around your trees. Some property owners grow their lawn grass right up to the tree’s trunk. Is it a good idea, though? It depends on you and your specific goals for your landscape. There’s no hard and fast rule to follow here, as there are pros and cons to allowing grass to grow around trees.
The Benefits of Allowing Grass To Grow Around Trees
Some of the top benefits of allowing grass to grow around trees include the following:
- Increased aesthetic appeal. Allowing grass to grow around your trees and trimming them to maintain a uniform look can elevate your property’s visual appeal. That cohesive look is probably why you’re thinking about allowing grass to grow around the trees in the first place. But should you let grass grow around trees just for the look?
- Lower risk of soil erosion. The tight weave of grass roots holds the soil around your tree in place. This reduces the risk of water runoff washing away the soil and nutrients.
- Better soil temperature regulation. Grass is a type of natural mulch. Therefore, it can help moderate the soil temperature better.
- Improved soil health. Decomposing grass means more organic matter in the soil, which is great for your tree’s root health.
The Disadvantages of Allowing Grass To Grow Around Trees
Should you let grass grow around trees, given the advantages above? Maybe, but there are some significant drawbacks you can’t ignore. They include the following:
- Increased competition for resources. The soil across your landscape is not as rich as the soil in the forest. Allowing grasses to grow around your tree could mean depriving it of already-scarce resources. If you’re working hard to provide your tree with the nutrients it needs, allowing grasses to grow around it can undo all that hard work.
- Higher risk of damage to tree bark. If you allow grass to grow around your trees, you have to mow right up to the tree trunk. This increases the risk of damaging the tree’s bark and exposing the tree to possible disease.
- Higher risk of pest troubles. Grasses can attract pests and diseases that might spread to the trees, stunting their growth or even shortening their lifespan.
What Is the Alternative to Grass Around Trees?
It depends on what you’re going for. If you want to replicate the aesthetic appeal of grass without worrying about the potential downsides, you should consider planting ground covers like pachysandra, ivy, or hostas. These plants are low-maintenance, and you won’t have to worry about them sharing resources with your trees.
If you’re more concerned about temperature and moisture regulation or weed control, you should line the area around your trees with organic mulching. Wood chips or bark work well here. Apart from providing those benefits, they also add nutrients to the soil as they decompose over time.
Call Our Local Pros for Expert Guidance
Are you still asking, “Should you let grass grow around trees?” Contact Hawkins Tree and Landscaping, your local tree trimming and pruning experts in Hope, AR, at 870-330-9912 to schedule a consultation. We’re ready to welcome you to our family of happy clients’ landscaping needs.