Planting in front of a 15 ft 2 yr old maple with lots of surface roots

Question

I want to plant perennials around my maple tree, but there are many feeder roots just below the surface and am afraid of compromising the tree if I go forward with that. I was thinking of tickseed or coreopsis to plant there.

Thank you for your time.

Ann

Answer 1

Maples are notorious for their shallow roots. It is not good for the tree to add soil on top of roots in order to plant or to sever roots larger than 2″. You could carve a niche for a 3-4 inch potted plant but the tree roots will deprive the plant of water and nutrients. Anticipate the need to water frequently. Coreopsis can handle drought once it is established but needs regular watering the first year. Tickseed coreopsis is a shallow-rooted plant so you could give it a try. You may have more success by investing in garden statuary or something whimsical, a birdbath or growing trailing plants in decorative pots. Here is an extensive article on the Dos and Don’ts of planting under trees and which plants to consider. Coreopsis is a full sun plant. Most of the suggestions in this article are for shade to part sun. https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/turfgrass/special/planting-under-trees/doc/8237pdf.pdf