Re: [SG] Welcome
>Hi, all, I have a question, hope some of you may be able to answer it.
>I am considering buying a house that has a nice size back yard....only
>problem is, the back half of it has quite a few maple trees...I am
>used to gardening in the shade of an oak, but I seem to recall that
>there are some problems gardening around maples.....any thoughts on
>this? Thanks.
The problems with maples are two-fold. First, mature trees produce a mat
of feeder roots just at the surface that almost instantly suck up all water
and nutrients applied. Garden plants have to be very good competitors to
get their share (some Hostas can do well in this situation,and a few
ferns). Second, the abundant seed production by maples produces a "weed"
problem as thousands of seedlings come up in any patch of disturbed or
cultivated ground.
But maples are very beautiful trees (most of them) with their brilliant
fall coloration. Can't have everything!
Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@hsc.edu>
