Facts About Trees, Shrubs and Ground Cover

The proper ground cover provides a solution to many homeowner's landscaping problems. If you are having trouble growing grass in certain spots of your yard, such as along the edges of walkways or driveways, next to fences or in shaded areas under trees, it is more than likely that you do not have proper ground cover.

Facts About Trees, Shrubs and Ground Cover

• Providing ground cover around tree trunks will prevent mower damage to trees.


• Shrubs add organization and structure to your yard and garden.


• In order for a shrub to be useful it should be easily accessible for pruning or shearing.


• Denser shrubs are more attractive and will last longer and will require less maintenance.


• There are several types of trees that can be used as shrubs such as cedar, hornbeam, juniper, pine and hemlock.


• There are several types of shrubs that can be used as hedges such as barberry, flowering quence, gardenia, witch hazel and heavenly bamboo.


• Tree, shrubs and ground cover protect the soil from wind and water.


• Conifer trees are more commonly used on landscapes because they are more tolerant of heavy soils and pollution than other trees.


• Red pine trees stabilize the soil and provide shelter for the regeneration of hardwoods.


• Soil can become seriously deficient in organic matter when ground cover is removed. 


• Trees can remove large amounts of water from the soil.


• Large trees can prevent light from getting to the lawn.


• Pruning trees is beneficial to the turf beneath them.