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Maintaining a healthy, thick lawn takes more than just watering and mowing — it requires the right environment for grass to thrive. One of the biggest, often overlooked challenges to a healthy lawn is the presence of large trees growing too close to grassy areas. While trees are valuable for shade and property aesthetics, they can cause serious problems for your lawn if not properly managed.
In this blog, we’ll explain how trees can negatively affect the health of your lawn and what you can do to prevent future damage as well as restore balance to your yard.
As trees mature, their root systems naturally expand in search of water and nutrients. In many cases, these roots spread out across the surface of the ground, becoming visible in lawn areas. This creates several problems:
If left unmanaged, these invasive root systems can cause large, patchy dead spots in your lawn, and even lead to uneven ground as the roots push up through the soil.
A healthy lawn relies on a deep, well-established root system. Grass roots need to grow down into the soil to access water, oxygen, and nutrients. However, when tree roots occupy the same soil space, they act as a barrier, blocking the grass roots from spreading and establishing depth.
This results in shallow-rooted grass that is:
Over time, this stifles the overall health of your lawn, leaving it thin, weak, and discolored.
As trees grow taller and their canopies spread, they often block vital sunlight from reaching the lawn below. Grass requires a certain number of hours of direct sunlight each day for photosynthesis, which is essential for healthy growth and strong root development.
Different grass types have varying sunlight requirements, but even shade-tolerant varieties struggle in overly shaded areas. Without enough sunlight:
This loss of light also creates ideal conditions for unwanted organic growth.
When tree canopies block sunlight and create persistently shaded, damp areas, the soil beneath stays moist for longer periods — especially after rainfall or watering. This encourages the growth of lawn fungus, moss, algae, and other unwanted organic material that can take hold at the soil level and choke out your grass.
Common issues include:
These organic growths not only weaken your lawn but can alter soil conditions in a way that makes it even harder for grass to regrow.
As trees age or become diseased, they often begin shedding dead branches, limbs, and debris. These falling limbs can cause serious problems for your lawn and even pose a danger to people and structures on your property.
Key issues include:
Leaving dead or dying trees standing too long can turn them into major liabilities, damaging your property’s appearance, lawn health, and overall safety.
Large trees in the middle of the lawn will eventually spread root systems that will overtake the grass. Plant larger trees near the perimeter of your yard if possible. This will minimize the e
Consider where the sun rises in the morning and the path it follows throughout the day. Ensure that large trees will not prevent direct sunlight to your lawn as they grow and mature longterm.
If your goal is to grow a thick, healthy, and even lawn — while keeping your property safe — it’s often necessary to address the problems caused by nearby trees. In situations where root systems, excessive shade, organic growth, or hazardous falling limbs are issues, the best long-term solution is to remove the problematic tree.
Removing the tree:
At Gravitt Property Solutions, we offer safe, efficient tree removal services to help homeowners protect their lawns, improve property safety, and reclaim outdoor spaces.
