Building a Beautiful Deck Around a Uniquely Sized Tree: 5 Considerations

Installing decking around a tree or group of trees can be a very rewarding experience, providing character and definition to your garden or recreational area. However, you must consider the following five considerations when installing a deck around a tree or multiple trees, to ensure that both the tree and the deck remain safe and secure for years to come.

Firstly, you must consider the type of tree(s) you will be installing the deck around. For example, an oak tree’s large and extensive roots can cause significant problems to the support beams of a decking area. It is therefore important to factor the space the tree’s roots occupy into the design of the deck.

Secondly, you should also consider what kind of fruit or leaves the tree may shed onto the surface of the deck. A pile of damp leaves, or a tree which produces large fruits, can cause a slipping hazard and so you should factor this into the design of the deck, taking into account the height and surface area of the deck board in order to reduce the likelihood of slipping from happening.

Thirdly, you should consider the effects of wood-eating insects in the area. If you are installing a deck close to natural wood, such as trees and bushes, then it’s a wise choice to cover your decking in insect-resistant coating and check for wood wasps, boring insects, or other pests every now and then to make sure you deck remains strong and resistant.

Fourthly, where possible, holding back trees of a group of trees with a small fence before proceeding to install the deck is a great way to keep the treeline intact. This can also be a great way to create an interesting feature of your garden and add a talking point to your outdoor space.

Finally, where the trees form a natural basis of the garden, try to keep the decking a reasonable distance away from the tree itself, taking into account its potential growth over the years. This will ensure that the tree is able to thrive and grow undisturbed in the environment it was planted in.

In short, with careful consideration of each of the above points and factoring in appropriate safety measures, you should be able to build a safe and secure deck around either a single tree or multiple trees with ease.