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What Grasses Grow Best Under Maple Trees?

Most grass types prefer growing in shady locations with at least six to eight hours of sunlight. However, certain cool- and-warm season grass varieties grow in shade. Soil's pH under the maple is another factor. Maples grow in a soil pH between 4.4 and 7.5, while grass typically grows in a range of 6.0 and 7.0. Check the soil's pH and consider other factors when planting grass under maple trees.

  1. Cool-Season Grass

    • Fescue is the best cool-season grass for growing under maple trees. There are several different fescue types, such as hard fescue, chewings fescue, tall fescue and creeping red fescue. Choose a time in the early fall when planting fescue grass seed. Planting fescue in the early spring may result in seedlings not surviving the heat of the summer. Fescue is a bunch-type grass, so there fewer problems with the grass competing with the maple tree for nutrients and moisture.

    Warm-Season Grass

    • Warm-season, shade-tolerant grass types include St. Augustine and zoysia. St. Augustine seed is difficult to find. Gardeners may have to plant sprigs, plugs or sod under their maple tree. Zoysia is available is seed. However, zoysia grass is a high thatch producer. This means that gardeners may have to dethatch their lawns every year when growing this grass type. Plant warm-season grass in late spring when soil temperatures rise. Because both St. Augustine and zoysia are creeping-grass types, they crowd out maple tree's shallow root systems.

    Soil pH

    • Conduct a soil pH test underneath your maple tree. Dig a 2-inch hole under the tree that is away from the root system. Avoid harming the roots when conducting a soil pH test. Root systems wounds are perfect entryways for fungal diseases. Send 1 cup of soil to the local cooperative extension office. Wait three weeks for results. Applying lime carefully around the area amends soil that is too acidic or sulfur for alkaline soil. Using the correct amount of soil amendment prevents burning the maple's root system.

    Maple Tree's Roots

    • Some maple trees have surface roots growing where there is more oxygen. Surface roots make it hard to grow grass under maple trees, according to Walter Reeves. Growing grass among roots puts the roots at risk cutting by lawn mowers. Grass competes with the root systems for the soil's nutrients. Grow grass under trees without extensive root systems. If your tree has numerous surface roots, applying a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch from the base to the drip line protects them from lawn mowers and conserves moisture.

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Lawn Basics
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  2. Types of Grass That Grow Under Shade Trees
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  5. What Kind of Grass Is in My Lawn?
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  9. Decorative Grasses for Under Fir Trees
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