Most things in your garden rely on sunlight to grow and thrive. Without it, there’s no way to trigger photosynthesis and convert the sun’s rays into energy. That’s why most homes are built so the physical house isn’t shading the garden throughout the day. But what if there’s another large structure in your garden that is blocking sunlight?
Trees are the main culprits, especially big, old ones that have been there for decades. They grow and bloom, creating a huge shaded area in your garden and stopping you from growing things. It can be frustrating – but should you remove a tree that’s shading your yard?
Your instinct says yes, yet it’s wrong.
This blog will explain why the only time it’s right to remove a tree, why you shouldn’t remove most of them, and what you can do to combat the lack of sunlight in your garden.
Only remove a tree if it’s unhealthy or causing safety concerns
In general, you should avoid chopping down trees at all costs. The only time it makes sense is when a tree is severely unhealthy or poses a big safety problem. For example, it’s decaying and the branches are falling off, or it’s growing at an angle and the roots are breaking from the ground.
Under these circumstances, it’s probably okay to remove your tree as a last resort. You still need to contact your local council to check the tree isn’t protected, and you should never cut down a tree alone. If you’re forced into doing this, then always get it done by a professional.
Removing healthy trees can damage the local ecosystem
The reason you shouldn’t chop down a tree that’s shading your garden is simple: it can wreak havoc on the local ecosystem. Trees are the best thing for the environment. They soak up carbon dioxide and create oxygen. At the same time, they also provide cover for different wildlife – and the trees themselves could provide homes for birds and other critters.
Removing one tree can have devastating consequences on other wildlife and cause a terrible chain reaction. It’s not worth the risk, which is why it’s strongly recommended that you do not chop down your tree just to get some extra sunlight in your garden.
Three simple ways to combat the lack of sunlight
So, what should you do when there’s a tree in your garden, and it restricts sunlight for other plants or your lawn?
- Plant Things Away From Shaded Areas – Your tree is unlikely to shade the entire garden, which means some parts will receive plenty of sunlight every day. Instead of planting things in shaded flower beds, consider planting them in pots on your patio.
- Look For Alternatives – Find plants or flowers that don’t need a lot of sunlight to thrive. Or, opt for things like synthetic lawns instead of the real stuff.
- Prune & Trim The Tree – Chopping the whole tree down is a bad idea, though you can prune and trim the branches. Sometimes, a little bit of tree maintenance helps create pockets of sunlight for your garden to thrive.
Let’s end with a quick recap of the main points! You should not remove a tree that’s shading your garden unless it’s unhealthy or poses safety concerns. Removing trees can damage the environment and the local ecosystem, so look for alternative measures instead.