In article ,
David Ross wrote:

wrote:

Hey Everyone,

We have a very large oak tree in our yard and I'd like to do some
landscaping around the tree. The leaves are constantly falling, so
could anyone recommend any specific plants, ground coverings etc. that
would allow easy cleanup of the leaves?

I figure wood chips would make it hard to pick up the leaves and the
same for moss type ground coverings.

I just want something low maintenance.

If you are in the western U.S. and this is a native oak (an oak
that was not planted from a nursery container), DON'T! Landscaping
around a western oak will kill the tree, especially when you start
watering the ground cover and other plants. Western oaks are
adapted to a long dry period in the summer with water (rain) only
in the winter. Further, the tree needs the leaf mulch to remain
healthy, even if (because) the leaves smother everything else.

Yep, what David says is true. Look at the oak trees at Univ. California
at Berkeley -- they watered the lawns around the trees and the trees
started to croak. Their normal life cycle calls for extended dry periods.
Too much water will kill the trees.

Count your lucky starts that you have a large native oak. They're
gorgeous!

Jan, in Alaska these days...

--
The way to a man's heart is between the fourth and the fifth rib.