Trees and Gardens

Trees reach for the sky. They spread their branches to capture the sun and smother anything smaller than they are. A tree in the forest has to grow fast to survive. Some trees, like oaks and walnuts, practice chemical warfare. Their dead leaves have chemicals kill the plants that would try to gain a roothold under them.

In our yards the trees compete with the grass and the garden plants. The gardener in many cases has to choose between the trees and the garden. How many people have you heard say, “I would like to have a garden, but I have too much shade?” When someone buys a newly built home in a cow pasture like setting, they have the luxury of choosing where to plant trees and where to plant garden. Those of us who have bought existing homes, have a harder choice.

One of the reasons for purchasing a home may be the beautiful trees and the landscaping. To buy a house and cut the trees down seems insane. It is worth it to find a place no matter how small, that a garden can thrive. Many people are using pot gardens on decks and porches. How have you dealt with trees and shade issues? Please comment.

David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/