Question: I am having trouble growing grass under a large maple tree. Short of cutting the tree down, what can I do?

Answer:

Trees and turf are both essential elements of the home landscape. Unfortunately, growing trees and turf together can sometimes lead to problems such as surface roots that become mowing obstacles and tree trunks damaged by mowers or string trimmers. Competition for essentials such as sun, water, and growing room may lead to health problems for both trees and turf. The thinning of grass underneath large trees could be caused by excessive shade and/or the tree out-competing the grass for the available water and nutrients. Some tree species even release chemicals into the soil that retard growth of nearby plants.

If available sunlight is the problem, you might first try planting a more shade-tolerant grass. There are new varieties with improved shade tolerance. However, some maple trees, such as the Norway Maple so common in Coeur d’Alene, have heavy canopies that produce deep shade. If grass is important to you, you can try to lighten the shade by removing the lowest limbs, "lifting" the tree canopy to let more light in underneath. It may also be possible for an arborist to lighten the canopy by pruning within it.

Another alternative is to take the turf out of this area. Using a mulching material instead of grass helps to retain soil moisture while reducing weeds and protecting the tree trunk from turf maintenance injuries. A more attractive alternative may be to establish a shade-tolerant ground cover. Try one or more of the following groundcovers. They require very little care, especially compared to grass, and will look nice throughout the season. Just be sure to provide enough water for both the tree and the groundcover.

Click on each name for detailed information on that variety.