Old tall fescue plants may go dormant during dry weather in the summer and turn yellow or brown. Many of these plants will resume growth during cooler weather when adequate moisture is present. Young tall fescue lawns need irrigation during hot-dry weather. Older lawns will remain greener with irrigation. A good management program that develops a healthy root system in the fall and spring will help tall fescue survive in dry weather.
Animal urine can cause serious damage to a tall fescue lawn.
Circular dead areas 0.5 to 1 foot in diameter develop quickly, usually in dry weather where animals urinated. More spots will appear if animals continue to use the area. A ring of greener and taller grass develops around the dead area after a few days due to the extra nitrogen from the urine. High soluble salts in the soil is the primary factor that kills the grass. Tall fescue plants do not spread over the spots and the turf becomes clumpy or weedy.