Question
There is a huge chestnut tree about 20' from the back of my 1915 Cape Cod in Illinois. Right now there is nothing growing under the dripline and we often have mud between the driveway and the back door. We need to put in a walkway and decided to expand it into a deck or patio. We recognize that digging footings for a deck would disturb the roots less than putting in a patio, but a deck would cover the "Wizard of Oz" bulkhead entrance to the cellar, would require more maintenance, and is more expensive [carpenters verus laborers, we're told]. On the other hand we don't want to lose the tree by putting in a patio. We have an estimate for a design that goes between the house and tree, pretty close to the tree, but we are contemplating a design that would instead encircle the tree. If we do the latter how much space should we leave between the patio & the trunk? Once the patio is in, we will need landscaping--foundation plantings by the house, along the driveway for privacy, and something under the tree. I think we can try hosta and periwinkle under the tree. I'd like to combine evergreen and flowering shrubs to create a 4' hedge by the driveway. Okay, I'm rambling--any ideas on all this?

Answer
Beth, As they say,"A picture is worth a thousand words".In this case it would certainly be helpful. So if you have a digital camera and are able to send me photos that would help tremendously. I need to know if the roots are really high above the ground and exposed and how far do they grow out from the trunk into the yard before disappearing from view. Your patio will have to be on a flat surface so the workers putting it in will probably have to fill in some dirt or gravel to level everything out around the tree roots (but not all the way to the trunk) before putting in a patio,but the design concept in my mind that you came up with encircling the tree with a patio would be beautiful and unique. You could get a textured or cobblestone appearnace patio or a tile look that would follow a circular pattern all the way around the tree. If you left about 5 to 6 feet around the tree you will always have to live with the fact that it is very difficult to grow very many plants under a tree which roots are soaking up all the water.So it would have to be drought tolerant plants like the Vinca groundcover aka Periwinkle.There are two different varieties.One is Vinca major,which is a perennial groundcover and one is Vinca minor that is used around here(aone 6 in Western KY.)as a trailing annual for pots and planters that has a varigated pale colered green and white foliage.They both produce lavender or purple blooms in early spring. This is not the annual,flowering bedding plant by the way.
It does however take it's own easy time getting started and has a medium growth rate.
Ivy is also aother plant choice which needs practically no care whatsoever,except trimming and does not mind growing on top of roots.It also covers quickly to hide anything.If planted underneath a tree it will eventually start climbing the tree.I think this is an intersting design conept and as a matter of fact I have done the same thing at one of my customer's homes.It all depends on what your taste is.
You also might consider putting a raised planter approx 3 feet high around the tree after the patio is installed. This way you can fill the planter with good fresh soil and grow just about anything you want in it without having to constantly water the plants that compete with the trees roots.Spring bulbs would be perfect in spring because the trees leaves would be gone,then you could plant annuals after the bulbs have faded away.If it has a dense canopy and is shaded under the tree most of the day,consider shade loving plants.I will give you some plant sources at the end of this answer to browse on the web. If there is anything I did not cover that you want to know,please don't hesitate to write me back.If you want to send a photo my email address is:[email protected]

Here are some great sources to look at on the web:White Flower Farm,Musser Forests,Wayside Gardens, Shady Oaks Nursery,Walters Perennials(or Gardens),Jackson & Perkins,Khelm's Song Sparrow Perennial Farm,Van Bourgondien Bulbs,Van Dyck's Bulbs,Brent & Becky's Bulbs,Plants by Mail,Gardener's Supply Co.,Bluestone Perennials,Sheperds Seeds,Applewood seed Co.,Ball Seed Co.,Genesis Seeds,Ltd.(www.genesisseeds.com),Kieft Seed Co. USA(www.kieftseeds.com),Mountain Valley Seed,Inc.(www.mvseeds.com)

All these companies offer free catalogs too and a lot of specials if you order online.

Good luck on your new home!