Evening star., 1938-06-18

under trees than out in the open. Tr
day sun which in Washington practice
July and August With q little careful
pruning. the proper grass seed and
good soil preparation 1t is possible to
have a green lawn throughout the
summer.
Grass needs sun and that is one Of
the reasons we see so many bare spots
under trees. BY removing the lower
branches, up to IS or 80 feet, depend
ing upon the size of the tree, sunlight
can reach the grass under most trees.
The grass will receive only the morn
ing and afternoon sun, but that is suf-
ficient, especially If you use special
shady place grass seed mixtures. Such
. mixture should contain a fairly
large proportion Of rough-stalked
bluegrass (Pao trivalis), the most gen.
orally recommended grass for moist
shady places. The fescues are also
suitable for shady places.
IN REMOVING the lower branches
from shade trees, it is desirable to
remove few branches each year, Civ
ing the top an opportunity to grow out
and thus retain the symmetery Of the
tree. Not all trees will need the same
sort Of pruning. The pin oak, for ex-
ample has decidedly dropping branches
and will need to be cut much higher
than an American elm, which has
more upright habit of growth. The pin
oak will require a regular annual limb
removal to keep the dropping lower
branches removed. A Lombardy pop
lar, which is columnar in shape. would
require much less pruning than
widespreading tree such as the white
oak, Thus the lawnmaker must study
his trees and prune them so as to in
sure sunlight for few hours in the
morning and again in the afternoon
for grass growing beneath them.
While shade is a very limiting factor
to the success Of growing grass be-
meath q tree, SO also is the soil, tree
roots and fertilizer. Give grass seed
as good a seed bed as you would
flowers and the lawn will be a pleasure
to look at. In preparing soil for grass
seed incorporate as much plant food
be enough to last for several years.
Then too, the grass is growing in a
very unfavorable spot and needs extra
help. The tree roots viii take their
share of the moisture and plant food.
Prepare the soil deeply, removing sur
face roots Of the trees if necessary,
although 1t is better to work the
humus into the soil around them
II. the soil is well worked and ample
supplies of humus and plant food
incorporated grass will grow even
under . soft maple or elm tree where
the roots are very close to the soils
surface.
GRASS growing beneath tree needs
more moisture than grass grow
ing out In the open away from trees.
Trees absorb considerable rainfall be-
fore it reaches the ground, so there
is less rainfall for the grass growing
beneath a tree. Secondly, the tree
roots rob the soil of moisture. In
watering grass beneath a tree it is
better to water infrequently, but to
thoroughly soak the soil, when wa
tering to depth of foot or more.
Frequent. shallow waterings encourage
the tree to develop feeder roots close
to the surface of the ground, thus
tending to increase the competition
for the food and moisture there.
In cutting the grass 1t is we'll not
TO cut it too closely-the roots need
some leaves to carry on the normal
growth processes. Short-clipped grass
exposes the soil to the sun and in
creases evaporation. Regular cutting,
usually once week, with the cutter
bar set to cut at least 2 inches high
Is desirable for any lawn during the
summer. With the lawnmower set to
cut that high the grass leaves will