Flowers can enhance a yard and make it beautiful. If you only have one place to grow flowers but there is a tree providing too much shade in this area, you may be considering cutting down the tree. Fortunately, you can preserve the tree and have beautiful flowers by following the tips below.

Lacing the Tree

One option you have to reduce shade is to lace the tree. This process is thinning out the tree by removing limbs and branches so more air and light can shine through the crown or canopy. Tree lacing will allow sunlight around the tree, as well as close to the trunk so you can plant your flower anywhere around it. Tree lacing also provides safety, as you will be removing large branches. When you are finished, stand back and look at the tree and you will see a lace like appearance when the sun is shining through the leaves and branches. The tree will still be beautiful while it is providing your flowers with sunlight.

Tree Shaping and Trimming

If you are not having problems with sun getting directly under your tree, but instead around it, you should consider shaping and tipping the tree. During this process, the tips of branches will be cut back to shape and thin the canopy. The tree will have a beautiful shape when finished, and you will have more sunlight around it.

Crown Thinning

Crown thinning is another option you have. During this process, a small portion of secondary branches are removed throughout the crown. Thinning will allow sun to shine through the tree to the area around it. This is also beneficial as it evenly spaces out the branch structure so the tree has a better shape. Not only does it allow sunlight to pass through the crown, but lessens the weight of branches and reduces wind resistance.

Planting Shade Flowers

If you do not want to change the tree in any way, you can plant shade flowers that will grow beautifully under it. Some flowers you can choose include:

• Hydrangea
• Astilbe
• Bellflowers
• Primroses
• Violets
• Hostas

You can create a beautiful shade garden in this area by planting these flowers if you prefer.

The most important thing you should do is to hire a tree trimmer to trim your tree. This will ensure it is done correctly so you will not harm the tree in any way. The trimmer will know the best way to trim it to provide you with more sun.