Question
Aloha, Jim! My mother lives in Columbia, SC and has two large magnolia trees in the small front yard. Underneath, the area is bare and unsightly. What can I do to make the area neater and more attractive? Is there a way to make a bed without killing the trees? If not, would spreading several inches of mulch hurt the tree?
Thanks very much!

Answer
If you add more than 3 inches of soil over the roots the trees will die. The roots do not need to be exposed so you can put good top soil or sand over the roots but if you use too much the weight of the soil will kill the roots  and then the trees.  Magnolia mainly due to the shade will kill most plants under them (grass etc). You can prune some of the lower limbs which will allow more light to get under the trees. There are plants that will grow under this situation.

Mulching the area with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk is another option.

Here is a web link to one persons experience of growing plants under trees that might give you some idea of which plants to use.


http://wvgardengate.homestead.com/Planting_Under_Trees.htm

You might also check with SC Forestry Commission Urban Forester they may have some suggestions of what will works there.
Ms. Liz Gilland
 Telephone: 803-896-8864
5500 Broad River Rd.,
Columbia,SC 29210