I have read that North Carolina's state collection of antique southern apples is mulched with gravel (I presume with some geotextile or weedblock fabric beneath it, but maybe not). This is at a state park or historical site, not an agricultural experiment station.

Only limestone or marble gravel would have much effect on raising pH in acidic water passing through it (neutralizing acidity). Most other rock types, especially as gravel, should be without significant effect I would think.

I had the same problem and removed the grass and put down composted wood chips. It works great but requires new chips every year or two.

Scott

I would be afraid that rock would reflect too much heat and light up into the tree. I like the woodchips, except I would worry about earwigs. If you have no "tree hugger" aversion to it you should consider a pre emergent herbicide

Have you thought of a low-growing ground cover such as horse herb? It would not require mowing (many people use it as a lawn cover and mow once a season)and is kind of pretty when it has the little starry yellow blooms. It is also a perennial, and can be started on site from seed or plugs.I don't know if it would do well in your area, but you probably have something comparable. Would your county extension agent have any suggestions?

Wow, some great suggestions, all!

Marlin, any profuse shade-loving herb is attractive, provided it won't get in the way come picking time.

Geraldo, no treehugger here, but someone over in Landscape Design made an important point that grass is quite nice for orchards and picnic areas, so I'm reconsidering the idea of eliminating the grass altogether. Thinking along the lines of, first, pruning the trees a bit higher, and second, a flat border, e.g. flat bricks laid in sand, around each tree, or perhaps even design so each covers two or three trees, with something like what Marlin suggested growing within, perhaps mulched in wood chips as you sugested. That makes it a fun project, would not impair harvesting if the border and the groundcover are relatively flat, and at the same time scales back the amount of work for the project considerably.

Thanks to the rest of you as well. Good ideas, all!

A couple of photos, to illustrate the problem. My two-year-old son is in it, to give an idea of scale and the clearance problem. Note the low weighted-down branches, esp. on the back. Just got done mowing it this afternoon.

Nice looking trees and good suggestions.

You could trim a few low hanging branches near the drip line to give more clearance, then lay landscape fabric down extending 3-4 feet from each tree and cover with colored rock. Red rock would make for a striking look, green would blend in with the remaining grass in the centers where it is easier to mow.

Alternatively, spray Roundup circles out from the trunks (don't get it on the trunks--shouldn't hurt the trees, but why take a chance? Then ring the sprayed out areas with bricks or something and plant your favorite low growing ground cover around the trees, again leaving grass paths which will be easier to mow.