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| Hi. I've a goldenrain tree in my yard (yes, I pick seedlings for days every spring), and I've been unsuccessful in finding any plants that will grow underneath. I've tried hostas, ferns, lily-of-the-valley, forget-me-nots...all with no luck. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| What about creating a natural border with some liriope? Worked great for a dogwood we have in our yard. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Sat, Apr 7, 12 at 8:35
| did the stuff fail due to your inattention.. or from the fact that the GRT has invasive surface roots.. which out-compete any and everything planted under them ...??? there are much better trees to garden under.. if that was your goal ... ken |
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- Posted by MeganFitzpatrick 6 (My Page) on Sat, Apr 7, 12 at 9:20
| Ken, Failure was not due to inattention. Yeah, not my tree choice. Came with the house and I can't bear to cut it down (it's the only tree in my urban back yard). I think I'm going to have to go the 2-3" of topsoil route. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Sun, Apr 8, 12 at 10:12
| NOOO!!!!!! adding topsoil over the roots.. is simply GOING TO ENCOURAGE THE ROOTS TO GROW IN IT ... your ONLY solution.. is to plant some new.. BETTER trees ... with the plan to get rid of this piece of CARP in say 5 years ... i will yell... THERE IS NOTHING!!! YOU CAN DO UNDER THIS TREE .. in the long run ... except maybe pots.. and i would bet a buck.. the tree will send roots into the pots ... you are stuck in a box.. under that tree ... get out of the box.. and look around you .. plant new trees.. get rid of this one .. but it doesnt have to be right now.. make a plan .. i usually find.. that within the 5 years.. i can generate enough hate.. to finally kill the problem.. lol ... actually.. the best thing to do under the tree ... is to set some lawn furniture.. and sit under it.. gazing at the rest of the garden ... where.. presumably.. you wont have these types of problems ... ken |
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- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Sun, Apr 8, 12 at 17:16
| Just so we're all on the same page, this is a Koelreuteria we are talking about? If so, this tree is rather well known for having a deep and well-behaved/non-invasive root system, making it a good choice as an urban street tree. It should not be overly difficult to establish plantings under it - I grew a vast array of different plants, mostly perennials and small shrubs, under the canopy of a goldenrain tree in my old garden. The area did not require additional soil, excessive water or any other undo attention to succeed. There are very few trees that really limit growth of plants under their canopies, even large needled evergreens. It is more a situation of knowing what plants - typically those that thrive in dry shade - will do well under those circumstances if given sufficient care to aid establishment. If it really proves tough, do as ken suggests and try some containers :-) |
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- Posted by MeganFitzpatrick none (My Page) on Sun, Apr 8, 12 at 17:58
| I _think_ it's a Koelreuteria. I haven't actually had trouble with invasive roots, and it's a pretty tree (though it wouldn't be my choice were I planting) -- I'd hate to cut it down if I don't have to. I suspect, given your response gardengal48, that my real trouble is not so much the tree as it is that the ground beneath it is packed rock hard. I'm afraid to till properly because I'm concerned I'll hit the tree roots -- hence my thought to till only a couple inches deep, add compost, then top with compost-enriched topsoil. Or yes...potted shade plants or moving my garden bench underneath it. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Mon, Apr 9, 12 at 8:19
| do NOT rototill under a tree .. EVER ... and do NOT add a blanket of good soil ... kill grass.. cover with a good mulch ... at proper depth take plant.. dig hole.. insert plant.. backfill with native soil.. [from another part of the yard if needed] never fertilize that plant individually [or the tree will come to the fert] .. and never water individually [or the tree will come take the water ... if fert is needed.. broadcast it.. same with water ... basically .. we are digging small holes.. with the least amount of root damage [a tree will respond to a severed root.. by making 100 more feeder roots, which is why no till under tree] .. and tricking the tree into not knowing you planted something under it ... or doing anything to attract its attention ... to the plant itself ... then .. all thats left .. is your attention span ... and not forgetting to take care of them.. insert finger and provide proper watering .. ALL YEAR LONG ... sharpen your shovel to aid in digging ... good luck ken |
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| It's not an easy tree to kill. It will sprout if cut off at the ground. You can then spray it, but it won't go away without a fight. Tilling under it will result in the tiller getting all tied up in the roots. It's ability to prolifically self seed drops the desire for it dramatically. I consider it a 'weed' tree. I had about twenty once. None now.....at least last time I checked the out of the way place they were growing. It was a real battle to get rid of them. If you must keep it, do what Ken suggests, put some lawn furniture under it and go from there. Keep at those seedlings and warn your neighbors. Mike |
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