Why Not Rocks?

Let’s talk about rocks and why not rocks in the landscape.

Water conservation is a hot topic in Central Texas and rightfully so. There are more and more straws going into our shrinking water table. While demand goes up, our water table continues to rapidly go down.

People are looking for ways to conserve water and save money on water bills. Understandably, one of the first places they look is in the yard and landscape.

Landscape designers have an easy solution. Let’s get rid of this water hungry lawn and then xeriscape. The idea is not without merit, but is it a problem?

I recommend a three part magic maintenance formula for your trees: water, soil nutrition, and maintenance pruning. Your mature trees need one good soaking watering per month, year round if we don’t get a good soaking rain during the month. I also recommend a ¼” top dressing of organic compost in the late fall, winter, or early spring. That’s great Scott but what does this have to do with rocks?

The critical root zone of your trees often mirrors the canopy or drip line of your trees. Where there is canopy, there are roots. When watering your trees, water under the canopy and apply the top dressing of compost under the canopy as well.

Rocks under the entire critical root zone can keep you from being able to perform two thirds of the magic maintenance formula for your trees. Nobody wants to water rocks and it would be unsightly to dump compost on rocks as well. This can have a major short and long term impact on the health and beauty of your shade trees!

Also, it has been scientifically proven that rocks raise the ambient temperature of your landscape above and below ground. Increased soil temperatures have been proven to negatively impact root growth, particularly of smaller, shallower absorbing roots.

I can help you manage the use of rocks and xeriscaping in your landscape while considering the implications on tree health. Call me to help you integrate your tree’s health into your new landscape design!

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