Evening star., 1946-06-16
Proper Care
Assures Lawn
Under Trees

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Under Trees
By W. H. Younemon
Strange as it may seem it is often
possible in this area to have a
better looking lawn under trees
because trees shade the grass
from the hot, midday sun, which
in Washington practically stops the
growth of bluegrass during July
and August. With little more
careful pruning, the proper grass
seed and good soil preparation, it
is possible to have a green lawn
throughout the summer.
Grass and trees are both desirable
and obtainable for the average home
owner. 1t may take little trouble
and some work, but a good turf is
worth that any time. Unfortunately
much of the work necessary to a
good lawn should be done before
the grass seed is sown. This is
because the soil must be prepared
to supply both the tree roots and
grass plants. Thus the key to a
successful lawn beneath shade trees
is two-thirds preparation and one
third maintenance.
Grass needs sun at least part
of the day to thrive and be healthy.
One of the reasons why there are
bare spots under trees Is the lack
of pruning. By removing lower
branches up to Is to 80 feet, de-
pending upon the size of the tree,
sunlight may reach the grass. II
they are pruned SO that the grass
has sunlight in the early morning
and again in the late afternoon. in
most cases this will be sufficient,
especially if you use shady place
grass seed mixtures.
Shady place grass mixtures should
contain a substantial proportion Of
Rough Stalked Bluegrass" t~tPoa
trlvialis) or "Chewings Fescue," the
most commonly recommended grasses
for moist shady places in this area.
The Rough-Stalked Bluegrass gives
as fine green lawn as does the Ken
lucky Bluegrass-the name does not
indicate its appearance. .
Study Trees Before Pruning.
In pruning the lower branches,
it may be desirable to remove few
each year, giving the top an oppor-
tunity to grow and thus retain SYM
metry. Not all kinds of trees need
the same sort of pruning. The Pin
oak, for example, has decidedly
drooping branches and will need to
be pruned much higher than an
American elm which has more up
right habit of growth. The Pin oak
will require annual limb removal to
keep the lower branches from shad-
ing the ground. A Lombardy popu-
lar, which is columnar in form,
would require much less pruning
than a White oak Trees such as
the White birch, Mimosa and Dog
wood need much less pruning than
more densely foliaged trees. Thus
the lawn maker must study his tree,
Give the grass seed as good seed
bed as you would flowers and the
lawn will be a pleasure to look at. In
preparing soil for grass seed in
corporate humus (decayed vegetable
natter, such as compost or peat
moss. There should be enough to
last the plants for several years.
Then too, the grass is growing IN a
relative unfavorable situation and
needs extra help. Because tree roots
will take their share of moisture
and plant food, be more than gener-
Gus or the grass roots will be the
first to suffer.
Prepare the soil deeply, removing
surface roots of the tree if necessary,
although it is better to work the
humus into the soil around them
This may sound bit impracticable
to the home gardener who has an
American elm, soft maple or beech
tree in his yard for their roots are
so close to the surface of the soil that
they often stick out. If this is the
case, the gardener may we'll consider
using ivy or vinca minor (myrtle)
instead of grass. Under most other
kinds of trees, well worked sol
containing generous supply oi
humus and plant fooo will produce
a surprisingly good turf.
Needs More Moisture.
Grass growing beneath tree
needs more moisture than in the
open away from greedy tree roots
Trees absorb considerable rainfall
before it reaches the ground, sc
there is less moisture for the grass
beneath. Secondly, the tree root.
rob the soil of moisture, especially
that which rises to the surface from
the subsoil through capillary action
In watering grass beneath tree, II
is desirable to througbly soak the
soil to a depth of a foot or more
at intervals. Frequent, shallow
waterings encourage the tree to
develop feeder rots close to the
surface of the ground, thus tending
to increase the competition for the
food and moisture there.
In cutting the grass, it is well
not to trim too closely-the grass
plant must have some leaf surface
to carry on normal growth. Short
clipped grass exposes the soil to
the sun and increases evaporation
Regular cutting once week, with
the cutter bar set to cut not less
than IL inches, preferably
inches above the surface of the
ground is desirable for all lawns
during the summer. Grass cut
that high, often shade out crab grass
seedlings.
Raking and removing the gras.
clippings robs the soil Of valuable
mulch. Unless so heavy that they
might smother the growing plants
It is desirable to leave them where
they fall.