How to Restore Grass Around Exposed Tree Roots

Select the appropriate grass mixture. As a tree grows, it creates a great deal of shade, which means that any new grass that you plant must be shade tolerant. Often times, dead grass under a tree isn’t an issue of root damage so much as an issue of sun-loving grass no longer having access to the amount of sunlight that it needs.

Cover the tree roots in a planting soil. The new grass needs soil to anchor in, which means that you must lay down new soil where the roots have pushed the old soil away. Create a uniform surface by laying soil between the roots and on top of the roots and then smoothing it out with the back of a rake or shovel.

Sprinkle grass seed over the surface of the new soil, or lay down rolls of sod on to the surface of the soil. Work the seed lightly into the soil by poking the rake teeth into the top 3 inches of the soil and moving it back and forth. If you have chosen sod, cut the sod to fit around the tree and press it down firmly into the soil to make sure that the soil comes in contact with the bottom of the sod layer.

Water the newly planted grass thoroughly at least once a day for the next few weeks. Once grass has established, it can be watered less frequently, which can be determined by gradually lowering the water time and frequency.

Mow the lawn once it is 3 inches high using a standard lawn mower. Do not walk on it or mow it prior to this time. For the area closest to the trunk of the tree, use a portable grass trimmer.

Fertilize the new lawn six weeks after it is planted, following the directions of the fertilizer manufacturer, and at least three times a year thereafter.