Trees and Turf

People seem to believe that spruce and conifer trees are acidic. When the pine needles fall to the ground below them acidifying the soil under the tree killing the grass. But this isn’t true, the grass below a pine tree dies because of lack of sunlight and water. The cone like spread of a pine tree allows rain fall to drain along the needles. There is no real way to cure this issue, it is not recommended to prune up the lower branches of your spruce. This is because the tree can get sunscald the tree will also become unstable. If there is a prior issue in the tree then this could weaken the tree further. 

You can help to make your yard or landscape more appealing by removing the turf around trees and installing a mulch bed. This will help to hold moisture near the root zone giving you a happier tree as well as ridding yourself of the dead turf. 

Trees and turf are often planted together in the landscape as well as on golf courses. Trees and turf grass roots have a different root system from one and another. Trees start with having a tap root but that quickly hits a space in the soil where it can no longer grow down wards. This cause the roots to grow more lateral and near the surface.

When people are watering for both of these they will water for the turfs needs. This is because people want a lush green lawn for good play or just ascetic appeal. But when people are watering for turf the tree roots will grow in the same space. This is because tree roots will only grow in a space that has air and nutrients. If people are watering for turf grass then the tree roots will grow in the same area as turf grass. The trees will sometimes breach the surface of the turf. This hurts the mowing equipment and causes issues for game play. 

This not only reduces the appeal of your lawns but your trees also suffer as a result. Tree roots are in constantly competing for nutrients and water. It is best to plant trees in groups and to mulch a bed around them.