One of the most beautifulAreas in the gardenis the place under the shade of a tree. Now the question arises as to how to design a comfortable and functional seating area and integrate the tree into the construction project. We'll show you 20 ideas on how to create a seat under a tree and explain what you need to consider.
Design a seat under a tree: The wooden terrace is a true classic
If youa seatIf you want to design under a tree, the first question that comes to mind is: What options are actually available? A wooden deck is a long-lasting option. This means you will be able to enjoy the cozy seating area for years to come. However, it also has disadvantages: It offers no flexibility. This means that you always have to remember to include the terrace when designing your garden. In small gardens, the wooden terrace takes up too much space. The construction is complex and the costs are significantly higher than with the other variants.
In addition, when designing your patio, you should always think about what will happen in the coming years. Is the tree stable and large enough if there is enough space for its roots?
A wooden terrace is an option if the garden is large enough, the tree is at least 20 years old and there is enough space for its roots.
Plan and build a terrace under a tree
DieTerrace at the houseis the absolute classic. However, this variant is not always optimal. In many cases it is better to design the seating area under a tree. Especially if it is in a place in the garden that is protected from view and wind. Deciduous trees with an umbrella-shaped crown that provide light shade are ideal. They can be integrated particularly effectively into the wooden terrace. Below we explain how you can build such a terrace step by step:
1. Clarify important questions first:
- How exactly do you imagine the terrace (shape, size)?
- What purpose should it serve (outdoor dining has different needs than a lounge area)?
- How many hours of direct sunlight a day does it get?
- Do you need electricity or water connection?
- How would you like to design the area around the terrace (garden path, plants, stairs)
- Is the terrain flat or does it have a slope?
2. Then measure the garden,create a garden planand mark the terrace on it. To give you a better idea, you can mark the desired path of the terrace on the ground with rope.
3. Get detailed advice from the garden center about how you should design the area around the tree.
4. Consider the tree's needs when designing your patio. Also clarify in advance whether you should compact the soil under the patio and how this will affect the tree roots. Under no circumstances should you concrete the surface around the tree. It would be better if you built a substructure.
5. Basically, trees cannot tolerate changes in the soil well. If you incorporate a tree into the patio, it will have to cope with soil compaction and will continue to struggle with insufficient nutrient, oxygen and water resources.
6. To get an idea of how large your tree's root system is, look up. The root system is as wide as the tree crown. Depending on whether the tree is shallow or deep-rooted, you should leave a certain distance between the terrace and the tree trunk. The size of the terrace is also closely related to this.
7. After building the patio, you should observe the tree. If you notice the tree leaves changing color and becoming yellowish, you can give it additional watering. Because the terrace has sealed a large area, significantly less water and nutrients get into the soil.
Create a seat under a tree: the tree bench
Would you like a comfortable place to sit in the garden? Then you can build or purchase a tree bench. You can find numerous variants in stores. Wooden tree benches that have a metal construction are particularly practical. You can use the space under the tree bench as storage space for chopped wood.
Create a seat under a tree: the gravel terrace
If you don't have a lot of free space and want a cheaper option, then you can opt for a gravel terrace. The gravel can be laid quickly and easily. This variant offers more design freedom, but maintenance is very complex. Leaves, flowers and fruits end up on the gravel and are difficult to remove. You can use a leaf vacuum for coarse-grained gravel and a leaf rake for fine-grained gravel.
One of the most important advantages of a gravel patio is that the tree thrives and you don't have to worry about its roots. When it comes to designing the seating area, there are no limits to your creativity. Just make sure the gravel isn't too fine. The coarse-grained gravel is more stable and better for creating seating areas with chairs and a table. The small-grain gravel is ideal for lounge areas and benches.
Design a seat under a tree: the inner courtyard
The city villa and the terraced house often do not have a large garden, but rather a small backyard or inner courtyard. If a tree grows there, the entire property may be in shade. Many garden owners then decide to pave the entire courtyard and create a container garden. The area around the tree is usually not paved. Nevertheless, it can happen that the roots lift the paving slabs.
The paved terrace is ideal for small gardens with small and slow-growing house trees. Trees that remain small include the common hawthorn, the willow-leaved pear and the Japanese maple. The star magnolia, for example, has a maximum height of 3 meters, which it reaches after more than twenty years. The disadvantage of a slow-growing tree is that it is only partially suitable for providing shade.
Design a seating area: tie trees together and let them grow together
Alternatively, you can plant several trees of the same height of the same type around the terrace and then tie the crowns together so that the branches of the trees grow together over time. A “pergola” is created that offers privacy and sun protection for the outdoor seating area.
Design a seating area on the lawn
Another variant that is particularly suitable for a natural garden is to create the seating area directly on the lawn under the tree. This design is only temporary and is ideal if the furniture is only set up on particularly hot days. Maybe because the tree is in a shady and windy location. Or if you are organizing a garden party and the terrace does not have enough space for all guests. Then you can arrange individual seating groups on the lawn. Folding chairs and tables can be easily moved back and forth and offer freedom of design.
Create a natural stone terrace under a tree
The natural stone is perfect for terraces that are under a tree. The material easily defies snow, rain and moisture. The only downside is that the tree roots can lift the stone slabs. It is therefore best to lay the stone slabs loosely.
Design a seat under a tree: an alternative to lounge furniture and seating groups
Do you want a comfortable place to sit under a tree, but there isn't enough space? Luckily, there are several alternatives to the lounge sofa and coffee table with chairs. The first option is oneHanging chair on the treeto attach. This gives you a comfortable reading corner where you can relax on hot days.
Alternatively, you can use oneTable around the treebuild. Such a table is built similarly to the garden bench, but is higher. You can decorate the table top as you like - you can paint wooden panels, you can stick broken porcelain on metal panels.
A third variant is to cast a garden bench out of concrete and spice it up with colorful decorative cushions. You can also place several concrete garden benches next to each other to form a semicircle. This variant is ideal for large gardens that you want to divide into several areas.
Garden design under and around a tree
It is of course important how you will design the terrace under a tree. But it is also important how you plant the area around the patio and around/under the tree. Shade-loving potted plants are ideal for the terrace. You can create flower beds with ground cover plants and flowers around it. Shade-loving flowers like hydrangea will add a pop of color to the shade area.
Another variant is to create a lawn around the tree. At first glance, the lawn may look like a low-maintenance and simple alternative, but it is not. Most types of lawn are only partially suitable for shaded areas. The areas in partial shade can be greened with certain types of lawn, but they are more susceptible to mold and pests and are significantly less resilient than lawns that grow in full sun.
Illuminate a wooden terrace under a tree
Lighting is a very important part of patio design. Don’t forget to integrate the tree into the lighting concept. The best way to do this is to use several floodlights that are aimed upwards. This allows you to illuminate the tree trunk and the crown at the same time.
If you want romantic garden lighting, you can hang several lanterns directly on the tree. LED candles exude a soft light at the garden table. A fire bowl not only provides warmth, but also light for the lounge area. However, don't forget to install indirect lighting where there is a risk of tripping. Stairs, steps, railings and planters should be clearly visible. Even in winter, the terrace should be well lit.
