How To Fence Around A Tree That's In The Way

Figuring out where to put a new fence is one of the hardest parts of installation. If you have trees in your yard, you might be discouraged to realize that one is standing in the way of your ideal fence line. Fortunately, there are a few methods you can use to fence around a tree while preserving it. 

For a young tree, you can relocate it, so you don't have to worry about it at all. (Make sure, however, that you plant the tree far enough away from your home.) If that isn't an option, one alternative is to fence around it, creating a box to include or exclude the tree. If you decide to expand your fence to include the tree, the added bonus is a new center of focus for your yard — but of course, you must take care not to go over your property line.

For some, boxing around the tree seems clunky. If you want a more streamlined solution, you can incorporate the tree into your fence line by leaving a gap for it. Turning a tree into part of your fence may seem unusual, but it's similar to using privacy trees in lieu of fences. With this option, you must leave space between your tree and the fence, as failing to do so can damage both. Also, you'll need to account for the tree's growth. Since that can be difficult to precisely predict, you should reserve this method for trees that are either slow growing or fully mature. 

There are a lot of common mistakes everyone makes when installing a fence, such as failing to check for utility lines — but utilities aren't the only thing running underground. If you're placing a fence near a tree, you also need to think about its roots. Failing to account for its root system will lead to headaches later on. You can cause great damage to your tree or even kill it. To avoid this, you should create a "root zone" around your tree, which is one foot per every inch of the tree's diameter. 

For example, a tree with a 6-inch wide trunk will have a root zone of 6 feet. Once a root zone is established, you should use hand tools as opposed to power tools whenever you are near or within that zone to minimize accidents. Additionally, it's recommended to install all fence posts at least 3 feet from your tree to account for future growth. 

These extra precautions can help your fence installation to go smoothly while keeping your trees nice and healthy. From providing summer shade to serving as a home for wildlife, trees are great to have in your yard. With a little extra planning, you can ensure that you can continue enjoying your tree's benefits for years to come.