Backyard projects under mature trees in Lorne Park, Mineola and Credit Mills

Walk through Lorne Park, Mineola or Credit Mills and the first thing you notice is the canopy. Huge oaks, maples and pines over generous lots. Those trees are a big part of what people pay for in south Mississauga, and they are easy to damage with a backyard project if nobody is paying attention.

Here is how we approach building near them.

Roots go further than you think

Most of a tree's roots are in the top 30 to 60 centimetres of soil and they spread well beyond the drip line of the branches. A trench for a gas line, a footing for a pavilion or excavation for a pond can cut through a lot of them. The tree may look fine for a year or two and then decline.

We design with the root zones in mind:

• Footings placed to avoid large roots where possible, using piers instead of continuous foundations.
• Utility trenches routed around trees, or bored under them where that makes sense.
• Patios near trees built on raised or permeable bases rather than deep excavation.
• Protective fencing around trees for the whole job, so equipment and material piles stay out.

Permits for trees

Mississauga protects many trees on private property. Removing or injuring a protected tree can require a permit, and sometimes an arborist's report. We check early whether any trees near the work area are covered, because the answer can change where things go.

Near the river

Credit Mills and other properties along the Credit River valley can be regulated by Credit Valley Conservation. Building, grading or placing fill in regulated areas can need a permit from them as well as from the City. Again, it is rarely a reason to stop. It is a reason to plan and to allow time.

Where water features work best

Trees and water features get along, with a few rules:

• Leaves. A fountain directly under a big maple will be full of leaves every fall. We place features where they get some open sky, or plan for skimmers and easy cleaning.
• Shade. A little shade keeps water cool and slows algae. Full shade can make a planted pond struggle.
• Roots again. A pond dug into a root zone is hard on the tree and hard on the liner. Raised or partially raised basins can solve both.

A recirculating fountain or water wall near the terrace is often the easiest win: you hear it from the house, it is simple to winterize, and it does not need deep digging.

Pavilions under the canopy

Covered structures near big trees need a bit of extra thought. Falling branches, sap and leaf litter on the roof, and clearance for the canopy itself. We usually look at where the trees are healthiest and give them room, then set the pavilion where it gets the best view of the yard rather than squeezing it under a limb.

Start with the trees

When we visit a south Mississauga property, we start by walking around every significant tree and asking how long the family has watched it grow. Then we design the project around them. It is a better result for the yard, and it is usually a cheaper one than repairing a mistake later.

More on our work in Mississauga, and how we design fountains and water features.