Grass has gone- only tree roots now

15 years ago

Part of my front lawn is now only dirt with tree roots extending out. It has made mowing soewhat of an obstacle course. What can I do? Throw mulch down to cover the dirt/roots?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

yarddoctor
15 years ago
Dear Cindy Abs,

Thank you very much for your inquiry. You can add a small amount of mulch back to the area, but be very careful how much. Growing grass in the shade is very very hard. Is this area suitable to just be a ground cover area? It sounds like the tree has matured to a point where the shade dominates the area. If the ground cover is not an option or not desired, I would like to know more about your current lawn care practices before I make further suggestions. I am assuming you live in Savannah, GA and have St. Augustinegrass. Let me know.

Again, thanks for the question and let me know if you have more.

Respectfully

Trey Rogers, The Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor, YardDoctor.com
cindyabs
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you for your response Trey, and yes, I do live in the Savannah, GA. area.
There is now an almost perfect rectangle around the trees, the grass having disappeared from both sides of the long sides of the rectangle-out about 8 feet from the trees. My lawn care "program" has been nil for the last 10 years due to time and money constraints. The grass is whatever the builders put in here 20 years ago, the land was a forest leading up to a marsh/river. So, I would happily put ground cover in, whatever would be would be good for an area that primarily gets morning sun. I am just tired of the dust bowl effect when I mow.
Related Discussions
Grass & tree roots - can they mix?
Q
Comments (5)
It can be pretty difficult to grow and maintain grass under a large, mature tree. The shade causes the grass to thin out and even shade-tolerant grasses struggle. If this is the case your options may be limited as far as grass replacement. Digging out the roots will surely affect the tree's health and may even kill it. It would be a shame to lose a mature tree as shade is a premium here in the desert. You may want to opt for gravel but ask that colorful shrubs or groundcovers be included too. Keep in mind that you can add a little soil to cover the roots of the tree, but more than 1/2 inch can reduce oxygen levels which can impact the tree's health. Gravel is better because it allows for oxygen exchange. If shade isn't the issue, I would wonder why the grass has died. The sprinkler system may be in need of repair. Hopefully this would be the HOA's responsibility.
...See More
New meyer lemon tree only has lateral branches
Q
Comments (14)
Yeah that's about the right price for the W&N citrus trees at Costco. This year, they stopped providing the semi-dwarf -- unless you actually saw some Ashley? I saw less than 5 semi-dwarf orange, the other 100+ were standard (Carrizo). Last year (2009) it was the other way around. However, the lemon did have about 3 different root stocks to choose from. If they keep the contract with Costco, they should be arriving again around March/Apr. If you are OK with keeping multiple trees, I would take Ashleys' advice and buy the additional one with the shape already set. However, I have planted a Robertson Navel tree that looked exactly like the one in the pic and I am finally training it as a central leader. I let the bottom develop it's natural "bushy" look until it was very well established -- it only was about 4 feet tall at 6 yrs old or so. I've seen MANY of these 4W dwarf Orange bushes STAY at that height. The stated 6'x6' on the label is the "full maturity". The dwarf Meyer bushes can stay moderately sized, but the Eureka's and many grapefruits can still get very big when planted in ground. The new trunk I "chose" is starting to really thicken up now and is now above 7 feet tall with just "enough" strong lateral branching. I'll top it there, but the high vigor will try to sprout more branches right at the top. I don't know how long I'll be pinching the new sprouts back for, maybe forever.
...See More
How to prune my young fig tree which has only a few leaves
Q
Comments (15)
Hi Map1e, I'm doubtful that your tree was grafted. Although your tree could've been grafted its more work for the nursery and why would they do that when a fig does fine on its own roots? I would suggest that you try to root some of your cuttings or if you have any suckers come up pot those up and compare them to the mother tree. If its grafted the suckers and the cuttings that you took will be different. Either the fruit color or leaf structure would be different. Would it be a robust plant if you air layered.... Yes, the fig would have a good headstart if you air layered a section of your 10 ft tree and cut it down to 6ft you would have a 4 ft tree instantly...well almost, you'd have to have roots develop first. I guess that your current option for propagating more trees would be to root some cuttings. Good luck, Little John
...See More
With ornamental plum tree now gone, too much sun for my hostas!
Q
Comments (9)
Stanlie, these people are power-crazy and do not want people (G-d forbid) to make a tree or shrub decision by themselves. Only the MANAGEMENT and BOARD know what trees and shrubs we should have. Judging from the extreme overuse of purple ornamental plum trees, trees planted by the curb way too close (resulting in stunting of the shorter species), etc., I have little confidence in the knowledge of the "landscape company" or their "landscape workers". No, they would not allow me to plant a large shrub or small tree. As a matter of face, I recall my neighbor Tom last year telling me quite indignantly that the "landscape workers" removed a Rose of Sharon his wife had planted 5 years earlier, because "it was too close to the building". They didn't even tell him or give him an opportunity to move it. They just snatched it out of the ground, and a rose bush, too.
...See More
yarddoctor
15 years ago
Dear Cindyabs,

Thank you very much for your inquiry. Since a ground cover will work for you at this point, I would suggest you go to a local Garden store and pose this same question. They will give you plantings that are much more suited for your area as I would yield to someone more familiar in this area.

Again, thanks for the question and let me know if you have more.

Respectfully

Trey Rogers, The Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor, YardDoctor.com

Related Stories

By Janet Dunn

Gray, the ‘it’ neutral of recent years, has left beige in the shade. But is it time to revisit this easy-on-the-eyes wall color?

Full Story

448

FUN HOUZZ 31 True Tales of Remodeling Gone Wild

By Mitchell Parker

Drugs, sex, excess — the home design industry is rife with stories that will blow your mind, or at least leave you scratching your head

Full Story

257

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Purple Needle Grass, California’s State Grass

By Debbie Ballentine

The long-lived, drought-tolerant Stipa pulchra is as admired for its benefits as for its good looks

Full Story

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Do You Live in a Minimalist Traditional House?

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Cottages, bungalows, farmhouses ... whatever you call them, houses in this style share several characteristics. See how many your house has

Full Story

TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Pueblo Revival Architecture Welcomes Modern Life

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Centuries-old details of adobe construction still appeal in the desert Southwest, adapted to today's tastes

Full Story

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

By Bill Marken

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Top California Native Plants, Trees and Grasses

By Debbie Ballentine

Enjoy a fuss-free, water-wise garden in the Golden State by growing plants naturally in tune with the climate and wildlife

Full Story

VACATION HOMES Houzz Tour: Moss-Covered Lakeside Cottage Now a Modern Marvel

By Nora Burba Trulsson

A 1949 Michigan weekend cottage with a sunken roof gets a makeover that stays true to the house's humble roots

Full Story

REMODELING GUIDES One Guy Found a $175,000 Comic in His Wall. What Has Your Home Hidden?

By Mitchell Parker

Have you found a treasure, large or small, when remodeling your house? We want to see it!

Full Story

130

WOOD Knotty and Nice: Highly Textured Wood Has a Modern Revival

By Mary Jo Bowling

Whether it's cedar, fir or pine, if a wood has a knot, it's hot

Full Story

Grass has gone- only tree roots now

Comments (3)

yarddoctor

cindyabs
Original Author

Related Discussions

yarddoctor

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Grass has gone- only tree roots now

Comments (3)

yarddoctor

cindyabsOriginal Author

Related Discussions

yarddoctor

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

cindyabs
Original Author