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Hi,
we have a .25 acre lot where our 3k sqft house sits on. our backyard is decent size, fenced in and plenty of fruit trees. The corner of our backyard has a firepit, and sort of a patio area, closed in via pavers on the edges, done by a company about 4 years ago.
I have an estimate from a contractor to put pavers around a big tree we have, and connect it via a step to the existing corner area i mentioned. the area will be about 1050 sq. ft. and he will put pavers in the whole area, including a firepit.
Our house is paid off, with no other expense, and we've lived here for about 6 years.....we don't have an immediate plan to sell and move, but with 2 small kids, and another on the way, our 4 bedroom house might feel crammed soon.
Spend the money if you think you will enjoy it before moving but don't plan to recover it in a sale. Good landscaping can really aid in selling a property but has little impact on price.
Spend the money if you think you will enjoy it before moving but don't plan to recover it in a sale. Good landscaping can really aid in selling a property but has little impact on price.
thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pitt Chick
We use our patio plenty and have zero regrets.
Honestly, though, only you know if it is worth it for you.
Will you still have grassy areas for the kids to play?
Yes. plenty. the project will really be just a modification of what we currently have in place....it'll just be done "right"....with better material, pavers instead of the mulch (currently, only the edges have pavers....the rest of mulch that looks like SH*&$)
No! You'll either kill the tree, or you'll be cussin' the contractor because the pavers keep getting uneven (not he's fault)because of the tree roots. And adding additional base for pavers is just smothering the roots- making the tree die faster!
No! You'll either kill the tree, or you'll be cussin' the contractor because the pavers keep getting uneven (not he's fault)because of the tree roots. And adding additional base for pavers is just smothering the roots- making the tree die faster!
Spend the money on an outdoor kitchen(?)
yes, that's a good point....one that i raised when talking to him initially.....
the tree is about 100 ft tall....about 2 ft in diameter.
He said that he doesn't think the pavers will get impacted and that he'll be digging a few extra inches as a precaution. i can not lose this tree....so i'm not sure if i'll be taking that chance. good point again. thanks.
Currently, around the tree, i have semi-circle made with pavers on the edges, and white marble/rocks type stones within the area. It looks good when clean, but it's a b*tch to walk on, and cleaning is difficult too.
Any other ideas if i go the same route and decide to re-do the edges to make it look uniform with the next pavers on the right, while instead of paving around the tree, putting something else that's easier to maintain and won't damage the tree?
I can just about guarantee the tree isn't 100' tall with that size bole. 50' to 70' would be an expected size. FWIW, because of wind concerns and small lot size, I might cut that tree and plant something more in scale and far enough away from the house that it couldn't damage it if it fell.
What most people don't understand is that most roots are near the surface, breathe and cannot be covered over, sunken or heavily mulched without stressing or killing the tree. The tap root is only one part of the root system.
I had the same worry about the tree perhaps not getting the water, air, etc., it needs, and the roots buckling up the pavers.
Would it look too weird to put a raised deck around the tree? Even if the deck was just off the ground a foot or so? You could use that nice decking material that is made out of vinyl/plastic so it won't need to be fussed with constantly or splinter anyone, and they make really nice stuff now that looks like wood.
Here's a site with some photos of decks around trees:
I had the same worry about the tree perhaps not getting the water, air, etc., it needs, and the roots buckling up the pavers.
Would it look too weird to put a raised deck around the tree? Even if the deck was just off the ground a foot or so? You could use that nice decking material that is made out of vinyl/plastic so it won't need to be fussed with constantly or splinter anyone, and they make really nice stuff now that looks like wood.
Here's a site with some photos of decks around trees:
How about doing it yourself and save a lot of money ?
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