How to lay sod over Pine Tree Roots?
Question:I'm planningto till the dirt, but I can't prepare it fully because of the roots - above ground and large.
Answers:
You may add topsoil first, but the thing you have to realize is there is no grass there now for a reason. Pine tree needles throw off huge amounts of acid. You will need to put down a lot of lime. You can buy a soil test PH kit for $10 or so. The next thing you must take into account is that those roots are there to drink a lot of water. I really suggest you use the pine tree's best attributes and include it in a decorative bed. Less maintenance than you realize. The acid will knock down most weeds too. If you do plant grass, use something that is climate appropriate and not fragile. Rye and Fescue are tough, bluegrass and bent are very fragile and susceptible to disease in shady areas.
Will the sod get enough sun? If there is no grass there now maybe it's because of lack of sun.
You can't lay sod over these large above ground roots. You must work around them. What you do depends on how far from the tree the roots extend. Generally one can till and mulch between the roots and plant hostas, azaleas etc. One can sod between the roots but the large roots must not be cut and removed because of the damage to the health of the tree. Another treatment is to simply use the pine straw from the tree to mulch around the tree; a few feet in diameter. It looks pretty good too.
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