How to Lay Sod Under a Tree

Growing grass under trees poses numerous problems for gardeners. Sod laid in shady environments is more susceptible to fungal diseases and root competition from trees. That's why it's important to choose a shade-tolerant sod type such as fescue, St. Augustine, zoysia and Kentucky bluegrass. Choosing a shade-intolerant grass type like Bermudagrass results in a patchy area underneath trees.

Rake
Spade
Garden fork
Lawn mower
Pruning saw
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Rake up all leaves from the area. Remove branches, fruit and blossoms that have fallen from the tree.
- 2
  Remove weeds growing underneath the tree with a spade. Spraying weeds with herbicides results in tree root damage. Use a garden fork to aerate the area to improve drainage and air flow. Be careful not to pierce surface roots. Poke the first 2 to 3 inches of top soil with the garden fork.
- 3
  Water the area underneath the tree and the dirt side of sod. Lay the sod down underneath the tree like you would install bricks. Butt the edges of the sod together. Leave the area 6 inches from the base of the tree free of any grass.
- 4
  Push a lawn roller filled halfway with water over the sod. Water the area. Keep the sod moist until it roots. To know if it has rooted, lift up a piece of sod and look for tiny roots clinging to the soil.
- 5
  Mow the sod. Add 1 inch to the recommended mowing height for your lawn type. Grass grown in shade must be kept longer to prevent root stress. For example, St. Augustine grass grown in sun is kept at 4 inches, but in the shade, it must be maintained at 5 inches in height. Rake up grass clippings. Grass clippings cause additional shade problems for sod.

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