Â鶹Éç

Garden clinic  permalink

Encroaching sycamore trees

• Message 1. 

  Posted by lola (U2634975) on Saturday, 17th March 2012

  Viburnum, climbing hydrangea, ivy, magnolia stellata and holly are facing a dismal future in my small (30ft) garden as the roots of sycamore trees in neighbouring gardens to the north and east increasingly rob my soil of moisture. Can anyone suggest what I could do to ensure the survival of plants in these conditions or should I just give up?

  Link to this forum: Encroaching sycamore trees

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by AlinaW (U2220240) on Saturday, 17th March 2012

  Ivy and holly will cope fine. For the others, you need to mulch the soil heavily, preferably when it's wet. Provided that you don't have a hosepipe ban, make sure that you water thoroughly if the plants look too dry - and that means watering with a hose or sprinkler for several hours at a time to soak the ground, but only doing it infrequently.
  It's by no means impossible to garden under large trees - I do it myself.

  Link to this forum: Encroaching sycamore trees

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by lola (U2634975) on Saturday, 17th March 2012

  The fact that you manage to garden under large trees is reassuring. Thank you. Unfortunately Thames Water are bringing in a hose pipe ban on 1st April so will only be able to use a watering can!

  Link to this forum: Encroaching sycamore trees

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by AlinaW (U2220240) on Saturday, 17th March 2012

  Very unfortunate - I do sympathize. But I suggest that you soak your garden once before the ban comes in if it's dry - it will be worth it to give the plants a boost.
  A good way of saving water is to sink short lengths of drainpipe next to the roots of your cherished plants. When watering, only put water into these pipes; that way, yo get the water exactly where you want it, and avoid it running away on a dry surface.

  Link to this forum: Encroaching sycamore trees

  Report message4

Back to top