measuring a wooded backyard in glen ellyn for a natural landscape design

today i will be going out on a measure in Glen Ellyn. it will be sunny and warm and it will feel good to be outside. blue sky, crisp air, and a quiet wooded backyard waiting to be studied. this is honestly one of my favorite parts of landscape design. no computer. no drawings yet. just walking the space and paying attention.

this backyard is heavily wooded, which already gives it so much character. mature trees create shade and privacy, and there’s that calm, settled feeling that so many homeowners in naperville, aurora, plainfield, batavia, geneva, wheaton, downers grove, lisle, and the western suburbs of chicago are looking for. instead of clearing everything out and starting over, the plan is to work with what’s already here.

closer to the house, we’ll design more structured foundation plantings to complement the architecture and clean up the lines around the home. this helps frame views from inside and makes everything feel intentional. but as we move toward the back property line, the landscape design will loosen up and become more natural and woodsy. layered shrubs, understory trees, and drifts of perennials that feel like they belong in the setting. i love that transition from structured to relaxed. it feels balanced and real.

when we measure for a landscape design and future landscape construction, we document everything. every door and window matters because views and focal points matter. i’m always thinking about what you’ll see when you’re standing at your kitchen sink or sitting at the dining room table. where does your eye go? what should be highlighted? what needs softening or screening?

we also inventory all existing plantings. some trees and shrubs absolutely stay. some might get transplanted to better locations. and sometimes removing a few things opens up the space in the best possible way. all trees are mapped carefully, especially in a wooded yard where grading and root protection are important parts of the landscape construction process.

and then there are the neighboring elements that always play a role. maybe it’s a large shade tree reaching over the fence. maybe it’s a trampoline or swingset that needs thoughtful screening for privacy. good landscape design in the western suburbs of chicago is never done in a bubble. it’s about creating outdoor living spaces that feel tucked in, comfortable, and connected to their surroundings.

days like today remind me why i love what i do. thoughtful measuring, intentional planning, and designing outdoor living spaces that feel natural and grounded. it all starts with walking the yard, soaking up a little sunshine, and imagining what it can become.