Founded in am i %p m OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 4 JUNE 2001 Trees and Turf Woody plants and turfgrasses are both roots get larger as the tree gets older. ( critical components of design plans for homes, offices and parks. Trees and turf offer Competition distinct personal, functional, and environmental benefits. Personal Trees, shrubs, ground covers and lawn grasses all preferences for color, fragrance and form should require sunlight, water and rooting space for growth. complement the functional properties of size, shape, Each plant in the landscape competes with the density, and placement of plant material. neighboring plant regardless of type or species. Some We’ve all seen thinning grass under large shade even produce chemicals that are exuded from roots to trees; large surface tree roots that cause safety restrict growth of nearby plants. For each plant to do hazards and mowing obstacles; young trees that don’t well, it must have adequate space. Since perennial seem to grow; and tree trunks badly damaged by woody plants increase in size each year, they require lawn mowers or string trimmers. All of these undesirable additional space over time. The landscape design affects can be caused by trees and turf growing too should provide adequate space for these plants to closely together. mature. Turfgrasses provide many of the same While shade is the biggest, most obvious problem environmental benefits as trees. They trees create for turf growth, a tree’s roots also contribute to poor turf performance. Contrary to ♦ change carbon dioxide into the oxygen we general thinking, most tree roots are in the top two feet breathe of soil. More importantly, the majority of fine, water ♦ cool the air by changing water into water vapor absorbing roots are in the top six inches of soil. Grass ♦ stabilize dust roots ordinarily occupy a much greater percentage of ♦ entrap air polluting gases the soil volume than tree roots and out-compete them ♦ control erosion. for water and nutrients, especially around young frees. However, grass root density is often much lower in areas Turfgrasses, in addition to being environmentally where trees were established first. In these situations, beneficial, are attractive in formal and informal tree roots compete much better for water and nutrients designs. There are many advantages to combining and prevent or reduce the success of establishing new trees and turf in the landscape. turf. Competition is especially important when Selection transplanting, seeding or sodding. The newest plant in the area must be given special treatment and must When trees and turf are used in the same areas, receive adequate water, nutrients and sunlight. This extra attention must be given to plant material frequently means that competing sod should be selection in addition to the usual hardiness, climatic removed from around transplanted trees and shrubs, or and soil needs. An effort should be made to make the that some of the lower branches should be removed trees and lawn compatible. Grass is generally a sun- from existing trees above a newly sodded lawn. In any loving plant. Most grass species will not grow well in (Continued on page 3) areas that get less than 50 percent open sunlight; however, new varieties with improved shade tolerance are being introduced. Consult your garden center specialist or sod producer for t