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About Marc Chapelle, ASLA
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
As a licensed Landscape Architect, I can answer general questions about style and design, ideas and suggestions for site amenities, larger site-planning issues, or recreation and park design. I prefer you ask somebody else why your petunias are not as perky as they should be...I'd LOVE to tell you how can use those petunias to increase your home's value!

Experience
Member, American Society of Landscape Architects (ALSA.org); Past clients have been mostly contractors, developers and local civil engineering/architecture firms, plus the occasional homeowner. Currently, I design recreational facilities for the National Park Service (DOI). I am located in the dry Great Basin area (Greater Nevada/Utah), so use of landscape materials OTHER than plants is emphasized. As a licensed Landscape Architect on the East and West Coasts, I have been in practice over 20 years.

Organizations
ASLA (ASLA.org)

Education/Credentials
BSLA in Landscape Architecture, 1989 Many additional seminars, educational venues, and classes (both taught & attended)

Awards and Honors
Best Multifamily project, 1993 Best Model Home Landscaping, 1993

   

You are here:  Experts > Home/Garden > Exterior Decorating > Landscaping & Design

SubjectDate AskedExpert

limestone as landscape rock7/7/2009Mark
  Q: We recently started a project replacing our landscape bark with limestone and was told this will ...
  A: I do not think that the small amount of lime that may leach out of the mulch will affect your trees. ...
limestone as landscape rock7/6/2009Mark
  Q: We recently started a project replacing our landscape bark with limestone and was told this will ...
  A: Stone mulch absorbs heat and the surrounding soil will get somewhat warmer,but there does not seem ...
pavers-bedding sand7/6/2009Sean J Murphy, LA
  Q: I am installing a concrete brick walkway. I have done the excavating and installed 3" of compacted ...
  A: Just screed the sand and then set bricks. Then apply some more sand to the top to sweep it in the ...
pavers-bedding sand7/6/2009Mark
  Q: I am installing a concrete brick walkway. I have done the excavating and installed 3" of compacted ...
  A: A 4 inch base would be better and you should have at least a 2 inch layer of sand. Use a coarse sand ...
pavers-bedding sand7/6/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I am installing a concrete brick walkway. I have done the excavating and installed 3" of compacted ...
  A: 1" of sand is for allowing you to level the paver area more easily. If the underlaying base is ...
covering existing lawn with river rock7/4/2009Mark
  Q: I have a very large spruce tree in my front yard. Since the grass around this tree is struggling to ...
  A: The smaller size rocks will have relatively less space between them than larger rocks and so less ...
covering existing lawn with river rock7/4/2009Mark
  Q: I have a very large spruce tree in my front yard. Since the grass around this tree is struggling to ...
  A: There is no need to remove the sod. The sod will retain the soil and prevent erosion. Use a fabric ...
water-wise landscaping7/1/2009Russel Ray
  Q: Live in Poway. Interested to hiring someone to do our front yard. We would consider small fountain, ...
  A: Hey, Amy. I used to have a big list because they were my competitors but I haven't done that type ...
Drainage Culvert7/1/2009Sean J Murphy, LA
  Q: There is a 25-foot drainage ditch that runs through my front yard and under my driveway. I have two ...
  A: There is only one way to get water out. Re-grade the ditch. But that may not be possible without ...
grass won't grow6/30/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I have a very large shaded area in my yard that just won't grow grass. I have tried many different ...
  A: Jane - Nope. Grass won't grow in heavy shade. Shade gardening is one of the most difficult ...
green belt6/30/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: i am a superviosr of a green belt project. the length of this project is 44 Km. our planting model ...
  A: ----- FOLLOW UP ------- 6/30/09 Hello, Mohammad - I am sure you are very knowledgeable of your ...
landscaping slope6/30/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: On the north side of our new house next to the foundation is a maybe 45 degree angle. We tiered the ...
  A: Dave – The ‘tumbled’ rocks are probably really nice, but they are no match for the power of water ...
curly willow arch6/29/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: i have 2 curly willows approximately 15 feet away and would like to have them arch together to ...
  A: As to letting the willows grow together for a natural "arch", I think you've picked fine plant ...
green belt6/29/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: i am a superviosr of a green belt project. the length of this project is 44 Km. our planting model ...
  A: Mohammad; Iran is a very beautiful AND large country at 1.648 million sq. km. From the lowest ...
landscaping6/28/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I am looking to landscape my back yard with "pavers" as a walk way and small deck, also with sod. ...
  A: You are asking for future erosion trouble paving on a slope, without reinforcing the underlaying ...
cedar mulch6/28/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I am downsizing my rockery and my weeding. Is it OK to use a layer of cedar sawdust and top it with ...
  A: Cedar is non-toxic to people, and some holistic herbalists recommend its oils for personal use, ...
plants near from of home6/26/2009Jonathan Radford
  Q: I recently removed all the mulch in my landscaping due to a fungus that wouldn't go away. I want to ...
  A: Hy Maryanne Ok, mulch is used to improve soil conditions and its breaking down into the soil is the ...
Trees near a French drain6/25/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I recently moved into a house (in central South Carolina) and there is no shade in our back yard. ...
  A: Your Ag Extension has provided excellent resourses for So. Carolina. Here is a link to their Tree ...
pet area6/25/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I used to have a pretty good looking back yard (grass only) until we got a dog. Soon most of the ...
  A: Jeff - Any kind of inert material can be used; bark mulch with shrubs, pea gravel, or my favorite, ...
Plant Suggestions6/24/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I live in central Minnesota. I can really use your help. Can you give me some suggestions of plants ...
  A: You are correct, in that a berm & wall are your BEST bet on lowering sound. The wall should be ...
standing water in back yard (next to paver patio)6/23/2009Sean J Murphy, LA
  Q: We have a problem with standing water in back yard, next to where our patio (made w/pavers) was ...
  A: Sounds simple. You need to have your yard regraded. Call some one with a bobcat and some fill dirt. ...
Patio pavers6/22/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I recently removed an above ground swimming pool from my lawn. I now would like to build a paver ...
  A: I don't believe so, as the pad has been compacted by the pool sitting on it for so long (I am ...
landscaping bricks around foundation6/22/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: Mr. Chapelle, First off, thank you so much for this service you provide! My question is pretty ...
  A: I took some time think about this question, as I wanted to consider all of the possible ways you ...
Retaining walls & trees6/22/2009Russel Ray
  Q: We are looking at replacing an existing timber retaining wall (made of coppers logs) which is ...
  A: Hey, Mick. I've always liked the interlocking bricks because they leave room for me to plan stuff ...
japanes fern tree6/21/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I'm considering planting a Japanese fern tree about 8 feet away from my shimming pool and I would ...
  A: ello, Lilliam ~ Filicium decipiens - Japanese Fern Tree This is a hard-to-find elegant shade tree ...
landscape mortar6/19/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: The mortar between my landscape bricks is either missing or in bad shape. I think all I need is to ...
  A: Mike: Mortar is a mixture of sand, lime, water, and cement. There are different types based on ...
Rock around house6/17/2009Russel Ray
  Q: I have a problem with animals attempting to dig under my house and up against my foundation. Several ...
  A: Hey, Teresa. Generally, putting rocks around the foundation shouldn't cause a problem and will ...
reclaimed/used clay brick patio - seal or rip out?6/17/2009Sean J Murphy, LA
  Q: I have a newly installed patio and walkways made of reclaimed old clay bricks, and I live in ...
  A: well I'ld say what's done is done. Seal the tops and the joints as much as possible, use polymeric ...
House in a hay field6/17/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: Our home is in zone 5a/6b far western suburbs of Detroit. It is sitting on 5 acres of what used to ...
  A: Mark: There are several products on the market, and I have tried none of them...Here are a few ...
Mulch6/16/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: We recently moved into a house that had an had an above ground pool that we knocked down. Now we are ...
  A: Great idea, but don't use plastic sheets or tarps, as they WILL cause a drainage problem. Landscape ...
Removing grass6/16/2009Sean J Murphy, LA
  Q: I want to replace large areas of grass with 1" river rock. Do I have to remove all the grass first, ...
  A: The easiest way would be with a large machine like a skid steer loader (bobcat) with a 1/2 yard ...
Street Noise6/16/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I live in the Houston, Texas area and our house backs up to a road. I would like your suggestions on ...
  A: Here is a site that discusses the problem: http://www.ehow.com/how_2044848_buy-noise-barriers.html ...
Hiding utility box directly in front yard6/16/2009Russel Ray
  Q: We are in a brand new home-there is a 33"w x 31"L x 28"high green utility box in the middle of the ...
  A: Hey, Sue. First thing you need to do is check with the utility company to make sure they don't have ...
fruitless mulberry6/16/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I live in Albuquerque, and did not water the tree enough (strict water restrictions) can I grind the ...
  A: Sounds like the wrong tree in the wrong place. Consider replacing it with something better behaved ...
Cleaning English ivy from painted brick wall6/16/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: I have removed English ivy from painted brick. How do I clean the glue-residue from English ivy ...
  A: If the wall was previously painted, use a coat of paint remover. If you paint over them again, it ...
drainage6/15/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: terminating with a pop-emitter. Any suggestions of a product to use to filter out leaves and seeds ...
  A: The most common are the leaf interceptors at the rain gutter: http://gutterworks.com/leaf_guard.html ...
Sandy Situation6/15/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: Here's my dilemma: I'd like to remove a large amount of grass from a sandy beach area. I've been ...
  A: It depends on the grass, but some grass variety's roots area VERY invasive (Bermuda or Zoysia, most ...
Monkey Grass Borde6/14/2009Jonathan Radford
  Q: My Monkey Grass Border has crabgrass(I think) in it. What can I use to get rid of the crabgrass, ...
  A: Ok, this is gonna be a long but not particularly hard task to get rid of your crab grass. These ...
Green Giant Arborvitae6/14/2009Russel Ray
  Q: I recently planted 2 green giants in my side yard.. approx 5 feet from the house......Do I need to ...
  A: Hey, Lin. I would definitely be concerned if they are only five feet from your house. The green ...
kudzu6/14/2009Marc Chapelle, ASLA
  Q: The back of our property abuts woods and we are getting invasive kudzu from those woods I'm afraid. ...
  A: If I could figure that one out I wouldn't have to buy lottery tickets!! This nasty little plant was ...

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Questions by
Active Experts:
S. D. WardKathyMarc Chapelle, ASLA
Russel RaySean J Murphy, LAMark
Jonathan Radford  

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