re-grading yard and planting grass?

[Treenewby]

Hello all!!
I have a large tree in my back yard, no idea what it is, branches used to cover the entire back yard. I just trimmed it so I could get more sunlight in the back yard so the grass would grow, and to keep it from beating up my house. So far it hasn't grown, so I would like to prep my soil and plant new sod/turf. From what I've read so far, to do it right, I will have to till the soil to a depth of about 4-6 inches. I don't want to spend the $$ on the new grass just to watch it slowly die. The large tree in question has roots running all over the yard. The question is, how far away from the base of the tree do I need to be to make sure I don't kill it.

[bepperb]

First off if you're planting grass seed in July you haven't done enough reading on the subject. I think the conservative answer for roto-tilling six inches deep you would have to be outside the drip line. I doubt that's what you want, though, because you trimmed the tree so you could grow grass below it.

If this were me I would wait until fall. Pay someone to core aerate the lawn. Topdress it with compost if you can and seed then. I think core aeration will be easier on the roots and better for the soil health anyway.

If you really want to do this right get a soil sample now to see if you would need any amendments before you plant seed. Probably 10~20 bucks at your county extension office.

As a person with a wooded back yard and lawn co-existing it's not an easy task. Plan on keeping the tree pruned pretty high and a light reseeding every fall.

[Treenewby]

No planting in July in Texas, unless you like watching stuff wilt and die, and no not seed, laying turf/sod. No, no, researching first. I've found it to be the best and cheapest way to do things, do it right the first time, rather than trial and error. Problem with adding to what I have already is the height of my slab. Raise the yard, flood my house. With the amount of roots, airation would be difficult at best. Yeah, outside the drip line wouldn't do me any good. Right now my yard looks like a desert. Having the soil tested is on the list. The tilling would be to incorporate any additives into the soil.

[D&B Mack]

No planting in July in Texas, unless you like watching stuff wilt and die, and no not seed, laying turf/sod. No, no, researching first. I've found it to be the best and cheapest way to do things, do it right the first time, rather than trial and error. Problem with adding to what I have already is the height of my slab. Raise the yard, flood my house. With the amount of roots, airation would be difficult at best. Yeah, outside the drip line wouldn't do me any good. Right now my yard looks like a desert. Having the soil tested is on the list. The tilling would be to incorporate any additives into the soil.

If you can't aerate due to the roots, how will you till?

You want to till 4-6" yes, but you typically want about 6" of good topsoil as well.

For planting under the tree, make sure you get a shade mix or at least a sun/shade combo.

[bepperb]

If you can't add a lot of bulk definitely get a soil test and then you can add only what's really necessary. I'd still plan on getting someone with a power aerator out there, they'll get penetration for sure and be less damaging to the tree. I think [sight unseen] that a tiller is out of the question inside the drip line. Otherwise spreading an inch of compost and sodding over the top probably isn't out of the question either. That would give you the most organic matter with the least buildup in height and damage to the roots.

Really if you can get the soil test and follow their recommendations and then sod you should be fine. But sod takes a ton of water so I'd put it off until fall.

[Del_]

I'd think in Texas that a big tree and shade would be a good thing. Guess not.


It's supposed to get to 100F here today.

[Treenewby]

If you can't aerate due to the roots, how will you till?

You want to till 4-6" yes, but you typically want about 6" of good topsoil as well.

For planting under the tree, make sure you get a shade mix or at least a sun/shade combo.

Removal of the roots was what I was thinking, but everyone seems very opposed to that. Which is why I asked before I killed my tree.

[Treenewby]

I'd think in Texas that a big tree and shade would be a good thing. Guess not.


It's supposed to get to 100F here today.

Yes, definetly love my shade tree, thats why I'm here. Don't want to kill it. I'm tired of the kids and dog tracking in all the dirt from the back yard, wanted some grass back there. It's a little more pleasing to the eye, and I get mini-dust storms when the wind blows.

[Treenewby]

If you can't add a lot of bulk definitely get a soil test and then you can add only what's really necessary. I'd still plan on getting someone with a power aerator out there, they'll get penetration for sure and be less damaging to the tree. I think [sight unseen] that a tiller is out of the question inside the drip line. Otherwise spreading an inch of compost and sodding over the top probably isn't out of the question either. That would give you the most organic matter with the least buildup in height and damage to the roots.

Really if you can get the soil test and follow their recommendations and then sod you should be fine. But sod takes a ton of water so I'd put it off until fall.

Thanks guys, I believe this is what I'm going to try. One more summer with the barren wastes, start slowly prepping the soil now, then when it cools of a bit I will get my new grass.

[D&B Mack]

Removal of the roots was what I was thinking, but everyone seems very opposed to that. Which is why I asked before I killed my tree.

You could aerate by hand, since it isn't that large of an area (under the tree). This would prevent any significant root damage.

[ddhlakebound]

Really need to know the species to determine if or how much you can disturb the root system, or whether you can even cover it with an inch plus sod without causing the tree to begin to decline. And it would be quite helpful to see the tree as it is now, and the surrounding yard.

Large, mature trees almost never do well with significant changes to their growing environment.

[Zale]

Think about a mulch ring around the base of the tree. The bigger the better. If the shade underneath the tree is dense, your grass will not do well and lead to much frustration on your part. Turf outside the dripline will do well.

[Toddppm]

I dunno, No idea what kind of tree it is, used to cover the whole yard, just trimmed it so can get some sun.

You might have killed the tree already if it was that big?

[Treenewby]

Really need to know the species to determine if or how much you can disturb the root system, or whether you can even cover it with an inch plus sod without causing the tree to begin to decline. And it would be quite helpful to see the tree as it is now, and the surrounding yard.

Large, mature trees almost never do well with significant changes to their growing environment.

I'll take some pics of it. Been wondering what it was. When we moved in 5 years ago, the back yard was covered with grass. As the limbs grew the grass started to die. Got to the point where the entire back yard was shaded. I cut 2 rather large branches to get it away from the house and give more sun.

[Treenewby]

I dunno, No idea what kind of tree it is, used to cover the whole yard, just trimmed it so can get some sun.

You might have killed the tree already if it was that big?

It is a big tree, but also a small yard. entire lot is only 0.09 acres. Tree is on the back fence line. I think the back yard is 30'x30', maybe less.