Many of my customers are people who thought they’d like a nice shade tree on the lawn. Yes, that’s a great idea. However, the tree needs to be selected with care.

You see, as a tree grows it needs more and more moisture and nourishment. Some trees spread out their roots as a thick mat under the surface of the lawn, so they compete with the grass for resources.

I’m sure you’ve seen this, or experienced it yourself: bare dirt, or sparsely growing grass under a spreading tree. It doesn’t seem to matter how much you water or fertilise the grass; the lawn doesn’t respond.

But the tree is very appreciative!

Solutions

There are a couple of solutions. One is to look at artificial grass. As a landscaper, I can quote to install this. Be aware, though, you can’t just put down a ‘patch’ of grass – it needs to be a whole lawn. And it’s not cheap.

The other solution is to remove the tree and start again with a better choice.

Let me come and look at your situation and give you my advice.