We try to create the most favorable growing conditions possible. Unfortunately, one of the poorest sites for any tree to be located is within the area of the typical residential lawn. The homeowner may be in love with his lush and weed free carpet of green, but it is an unnatural environment which frequently causes stress and health problems for trees as their root zone is completely covered with grass. In the forest Ecosystem, the ground cover consists of large amounts of organic matter in varying degrees of decay. Its porous texture enables unrestrictive root growth.
Forest litter retains moisture well and maintains a stable soil temperature.
It is a very efficient insulator of the tree's root system and protects it from Winter damage and periods of drought. Turfgrass is a poor substitute for ground cover as it competes with the trees for water, nutrients, and Oxygen. Because the leaves are removed in the Fall, the soil is depleted of much needed organic matter . Porosity of the soil is reduced and compaction results. With soil compaction, the trees' roots are now restricted in growth.