Re: Plants for Shade under Oak tree!

> The tree sits about 2 feet from the neighbor's privacy fence, so I was
> thinking about using the fence as the back of a raised bed, using concrete
> blocks, extending the raised bed about 10-12 feet into my back yard, and then
> weaving stepping stones throughout the yard, and letting the moss go wild!  
> I hope that over the years' the concrete blocks can be hidden by flowing
> plants, or I could 'paint' the exposed areas with yogurt or something to
> encourage moss growth, but what can I plant in this raised bed?

The most important thing is to be careful with soil compaction.  The roots
on a tree usually spread out to 1.5 times the canopy width (but oaks are
less so, I believe).  Anything that you do in that area affects the amount
of oxygen that can travel through the soil.  I don't know how much area
you're talking about working in, but you have to make certain that a
relatively small area under the canopy is disturbed, or it could harm
your tree.

> Aren't there plants that don't thrive under an oak tree, or am I making more
> problems for myself?  

There probably are, but not because it's an oak per se.  The biggest issue
will be light, of course.  Another possible problem would be soil pH -- 
I think oak leaves will make acidify soil over time, so something like
a Gypsophilia (Baby's breath) wouldn't be happy.

Chris
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