Using Trees to Enhance Your Water Features

Water features dress up your outdoor space, adding beauty and soothing sound to the yard. But planting the right trees truly enhances a water feature and transforms your property into a lush oasis perfect for gathering. You’ll need time to plan and possibly the help of trained professionals to get this area set up well.
How Trees Fit Into Your Dream Yard
Trees have different uses, from shade structures to wind blocks and often simply for added beauty. Think about what role trees play in your dream yard.
Water features can be set up with or without trees nearby, but even the most formal, traditional fountains look better with the right plantings. What about using trees as a border along one side of the water feature, creating privacy and a secret garden atmosphere?
Some water features actually need trees and shrubs surrounding them to capture a more natural setting. Trees often line ponds, flank waterfalls and dot the banks of brooks or streams, both in the wild and in suburban landscapes.
Get a tropical look with deciduous trees boasting fleshy foliage, or plant evergreens like fir or spruce for the serenity of a forest. Envision your dream yard complete with water features, and then shop for trees that suit those features and fit well with your vision.
Combining Two Focal Points
Water features serve as a focal point in the yard. Trees mainly act as accents or for visual structure, depending on placement, age and species. By combining trees with water features you can create a more vivid focal point that engages all of the senses.
You need to plant the right type of tree for the setting in order to achieve the desired effect. Ponds combine well with willows, river birch and pond cypress trees, as well as other trees that thrive in wet soil. Some of these trees also help to retain soil around larger water features. Planting trees not suited to be near water will result in extra maintenance and expense.
Enhance your water features with well-chosen trees and you’ll end up with a more comfortable, attractive outdoor space. Plan wisely to combine these two features in your yard.