Tree roots and lawn care

Ok. I am a little nervous posting this message. I have seen very little information about lawn care. So don't shoot me. I have a lot of plants and herbs but my lawn is the problem right now.

I am trying to grow grass in my backyard. My backyard has 2 Oak trees, a Silver Maple, and an Apple tree. It also has some Pine trees that overhang the property. My soil is primarily clay.

Problem 1: I can't seem to get grass to grow under the Oak trees. The area gets full sun. But the Oaks' roots are showing above ground. I try to keep the acorns off the ground. But it is a hopeless cause..

Problem 2: The Apple tree is in one corner. Furthermore, several Pine tree limbs overhang the corner. (Of course, the pine needles fall on my side of the fence.) The corner is densely shaded by the Pine trees and the Apple tree. Roots of the Apple tree are also showing above ground. Right now, my compost heap is in this corner. But I need something to keep it from turning into a mad pit when it rains.

Problem 3: My yard has lots of moss throughout the grass area. I have some larger patches of moss on the side that I use with my house plants and herb. But I really don't want it in the middle of my yard.

I hope some of you can offer help in how to deal with these problems. I am considering purchasing topsoil to help level out the lawn and cover the roots. I don't know if the topsoil will hurt the roots or help the roots. I also don't know if the additional topsoil will actually allow me to grow grass.

Speaking of grass, I live in Zone 6a (South Central, PA). I am looking for a good grass that will grow well in dense shade (under the Apple tree) to full sun. I really like grasses in the Bluegrass Family but I haven't a clue what to use.

I hope to post some photos of my yard a little later today.
But if you have any words of wisdom, I am all ears!

Thanks.

Michael

Hi Michael - good questions! (I won't shoot ya, but I will move your question to the 'Garden Talk' forum for better exposure to other members.

For what it's worth, conventional wisdom says to not try to grow grass under your trees. The two are going to compete for water and nutrients, and the tree is bound to win, although it will probably give up some years off its potential lifespan in the process.

Instead, put mulch under your trees and/or plant a groundcover. Some possibilities include Pachysandra, Ivy (now I'm gonna get shot by all the Ivy-plagued readers :), Ginger, Galium, Convallaria (Lily of the Valley), Lirope, Hardy Plumbago, Vinca are all possible choices. A lot of people plant hostas around their larger trees, if there is enough shade to keep them happy.

Keeping the area mulched prevents machine vs. nature accidents (lawnmower hitting exposed roots, weedeater nicking the bark, etc.)

A library book I'm thumbing through right now is 'Yardening', and it addresses a lot of the situations you've described (clay soil, selecting grasses, properly caring for trees and shrubs, etc.) If you can find a copy at your library, you might want to check it out - it's a quick read and at first glance, looks like a decent reference book.