GARDENING BY THE MOON
By: Dr. Robert E. Moon Harvest Horticulturist
Many of you have bare turf areas under trees in your yard and no one likes to look at these unsightly areas. I totally understand. Following are some suggestions to help resolve this problem.
Lift the canopy on your trees so more light can reach the ground under the tree. Lifting canopies not only provides more light, but if you have street trees, it provides clearance for emergency vehicles. A good rule of thumb would be to remove any branch from the trunk 12’ to 14’ from the top of the curb edge. When removing these branches, make the cut at the branch collar or bark ridge. Do not leave stubs and make cut at an angle so the wound can shed water. Pruning paint is not needed unless you remove branches larger than a softball. If you do paint, only apply to the face of the wound and not bark edge so it can heal properly.
After lifting canopies, you will need to sod bare areas. Sod with Celebration Bermudagrass. This is the most shade tolerant bermudagrass.
Tree roots are very effective in stealing water and fertilizer from turf. Add extra fertilizer and water under your trees to help the turf. Feed trees and turf at least 3 to 4 times per year.
Raise mowing height under trees to 2 ½” to 3” so there is more leaf blade to catch the light.
All the above will help resolve the bare areas in your turf.