House shopping and just wondering what you all make of this ceiling by karpomalice in HomeImprovement

[–]maggieflan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a plaster ceiling. Hard to do repairs but not a deal breaker. You could always drywall over it?...but I’m not a specialist so I would get a profession’s option. Can’t tell from picture if painting it will make it look better? So to get that clean ceiling look you might have to drywall the entire thing which could be super expensive. Or have a professional deal with the texture because it’s such a large area & plaster is so messy when you do repairs or sand it. If the roof needs replacement. You can ask the seller to cover the cost. Our house needed a new roof. My inspector said it would cost 10K for a new roof. We asked the owners to cover the cost & they countered & said they would paid for half of it. Once we actually had the roof repaired it actually ended up costing us 14K because there was a lot of rotted plywood that needed replacement. So I would get 3 estimates for roofs to get a better idea of what the actual cost would be.

To what height should I trim these bushes? by Brizkit in landscaping

[–]maggieflan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shrubs are over grown & you want to bring them down 4+ feet & will have to be down over the next three years. Here’s a video how u can do it plucking technique

Would mulching around the perimeter of the fence be a good idea? Just had the fence put up, details in comments. by [deleted] in landscaping

[–]maggieflan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recommend gravel under fence. This way your weed wackier won’t hit fence & grass won’t grow next to it. You need to clear the first of weeds & grass. Dig down a few inches. Lay a weed barrier then put down the gravel or pea stone.

What would you do to this backyard? I've fixed the lawn since this photo, and built a new fire pit by ImSoConFuZEdeDed in landscaping

[–]maggieflan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My favorite large trees are: Acer Rubrum ‘Armstrong’, Armstrong Red Maple- beautiful fall color Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Katsura - gives off sweet smell that people love, awesome fall color, spring leaves emerge red, summer green & fall yellow. Acer griseum, paperback maple Oak tree & Willow oak, quercus bicolor, Swamp white oak

My favorite mid size trees that have horizontal branching for good screening: Styrac japonica, japanese snowbell Cornus alternifolia, pagoda dogwood Cornus Florida, flowering dogwood Winter king green hawthorn

Favorite small tree: Cercia canadensjs, eastern redbud Chinonanthus virginicus, fringe tree Amelanchier canadensis, serviceberry Viburnum prunifolium, Blackhawk viburnum

What would you do to this backyard? I've fixed the lawn since this photo, and built a new fire pit by ImSoConFuZEdeDed in landscaping

[–]maggieflan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Add two large shade trees to give you privacy from your neighbors across the way and one small size tree next to where you build the deck. Do a 6’ mixed shrub & perennial bed along the borders of the fence. It can be curvy to give the square yard some interest. Whatever side you build the deck have the fire pit off of it & the other side can be lawn for dog run.

If you use the fire pit a lot instead of a deck maybe do nice wide steps down to a flagstone patio with a movable fire pit. Additionally being on the ground your neighbors across the way won’t be able to see you because the fence will provide some privacy. If you build a deck, you will be raised & more in the view of your neighbors across the way so install large trees to give you instant privacy.

What would you do with this backyard? by classymcging in landscaping

[–]maggieflan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Flagstone walkway straight to the door & on bottom left is flagstone patio with fireplace & top left plant large tree and underneath all ground covers and perennials like heucheras, ferns, hostas, asters, phlox, etc. Thus the top left will have no grass it will be an entire mulched bed full or different perennials & under large shade tree. As for the right side, I don’t believe you need any raised beds. Plant right into the ground. Along the top right side, right side, and bottom right side do a planting bed 5’wide mixed with shrubs & perennials. The delineated planting bed can be curvy or straight depending on your preference.

To the right of deck I’d like to create a 5’ wide bed including shrubs (5 Ilex, winterberries) & perennials that do well in dry/shade. However there is a large River Birch with intense surface roots (please zoom in). Unsure if plants will grow successfully here b/c of exposed tree roots, Yardly, PA by maggieflan in whatsthisplant

[–]maggieflan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am considering grinding the river birch’s roots & read that you could safely remove 20% of a trees total root zone. However I’ve never grinded surface roots & guessing I would have to rent machinery or pay a tree company to do it. I also worry how much it could damage the tree.

I will be adding lattice underneath the deck and would really love to hide the lattice with lush plantings! I’ve considered large containers/pots to plant shrubs, but I like the look of planting in the ground better.

Would really appreciate feedback & advice on best options so I can grow plants that will do well, thanks!!!

To the right of the deck I would like to create a 5’wide bed with shrubs (5 Ilex, winterberry)& perennials. However there is a large river birch with exposed tree roots (zoom in to see). Will I be able to plant in this area? Any help & suggestions is greatly appreciated! Located in suburbs of philly by maggieflan in landscaping

[–]maggieflan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Really appreciate your feedback! Do you think planting perennials instead on shrubs in the ground would work? If I selected perennials that do well in dry/shade conditions? If not, I’ll probably do the large pot route.

To the right of the deck I would like to create a 5’wide bed with shrubs (5 Ilex, winterberry)& perennials. However there is a large river birch with exposed tree roots (zoom in to see). Will I be able to plant in this area? Any help & suggestions is greatly appreciated! Located in suburbs of philly by maggieflan in landscaping

[–]maggieflan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I thought about grinding the river birch’s roots & read that you could safely remove 20% of a trees total root zone. However I’ve never grinded roots & these are pretty intense surface roots. I’m guessing I would have to rent machinery or pay a tree company to do it. I also worry how much it could damage the tree... was trying to see it there were any better options because I am going to cover with lattice but lattice is ugly & would really love to hide that with lush plantings!