Roots, shade and aging hardscape
Large roots are a common problem in older yards. They can lift sidewalks, crack driveways and make digging difficult. Before laying pavers or a new walkway, we look at where the roots run and whether the path can shift to avoid damaging a valuable tree.
Shade is the second theme. Under a thick canopy, turf struggles and bare patches appear, so beds with shade-loving plants or mulch may work better than another round of sod. Older paving may have settled, trapping water next to the house. Correcting grade at the same time as the hardscape gives a longer-lasting result. We discuss each of these choices openly, because some cannot be fixed with a quick patch.

