Selecting concrete for your sidewalk, patio or driveway provides a long-lasting, durable surface that can look beautiful for many years. Although concrete can last a lifetime, it can be susceptible to damage from other decorative elements you may choose to install. It’s important to select flowers, trees, grasses and more that can live harmoniously with your investment and are beautiful to look at.
Tree roots are the biggest threat to concrete. As trees grown, so do the root systems deep below; slowly making their way under your driveway, patio or path and pushing up to eventually crack, push up and sometimes break through. Not only can this look unsightly, but also will have affected the integrity of your concrete and can be quite the tripping hazard.
Looking around at your town or village can give you a great idea of what works well around concrete – municipal governments take great care choosing trees that won’t disrupt the sidewalks. Alternatively, a visit to your local nursery (the folks at Heritage Nursery in Nakusp are fabulous!) will get you lots of great knowledge and you can probably leave with a tree or two while you’re at it. Take into account your climate and soil, but a few great suggestions could be:
- Evergreen shrubs like Ligustrum or Cherry Laurels;
- Low-growing shrubs like juniper, holly or boxwood; or
- Small ornamental trees like dogwood or star magnolia.
A good rule of thumb is to keep moving away from your concrete the larger the trees become – medium-size trees at least six feet and larger trees at least 20 feet away. Some trees you many want to avoid include:
- Oaks;
- Cottonwoods;
- Sycamores; or
- Silver Maples.
Room to grow is important so ensure you do your research and leave enough room to flourish underground and above.
Trees and plants are a beautiful addition to any yard and ensuring you choose wisely protects your investment for both your concrete and your greenery.
Call Arrow Lakes Ready Mix to at 250-265-8388 to see how we can help you with your next concrete driveway, patio or walkway.
