Wooded Mountain Lot: Naturalistic Landscape, Not Suburban Manicure

A forested mountain property should be enhanced, not converted to a suburban lawn. Work with the ecology.

Steps

1. ID invasive vs. native plants (state list); remove invasives, keep natives.
2. Thin trees for light/views; remove hazard trees near house.
3. Mulch around house with 3–4″ wood chips (cleaner than leaf litter).
4. Identify focal points from windows/driveway; plant native flowering shrubs/trees there.
5. Add evergreens to screen utilities/undesirable views.
6. Group shrubs at woodland edge; add bulbs/perennials at tree bases.

References: Woodland garden guide, Maine woodscaping.

Low maintenance, fire-wise, ecologically sound.