Other solutions are decks on pilings, crushed rock installed on grade, bordered by headers made from recycled products.

Many native and non-native plants are compatible with oaks, as long as irrigation is correctly managed.

The key factors to maintaining healthy oaks are not modifying the existing grades nor the hydrology within the drip line, applying irrigation sparingly and at the correct time of year, and applying some kind of mulch to keep the trees' feeder roots happy. Oaks do not like wet roots during the warm season - this leads to diseases that can kill the trees over time.