My evergreen trees originally had grass growing right up around them. I turned that fence line into a continuous mulched bed and hand-dug an edge to help manage water around the sensitive trees to promote healthy growth.
Why I did it
I wanted to eliminate the grass underneath the trees, create a defined bed and address the wet conditions along that part of the yard. The hand-dug edge was my attempt to help manage water around the trees.
What I used
- Ortho GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer
- Cardboard to cover the dead grass
- Mulch
- A straight-edge shovel to create the edge
What I did
- I treated the grass under the trees. I used Ortho GroundClear to eliminate the grass and define the bed.
- I hand-dug the edge. I used a straight-edge shovel to dig out the bed edge and create a drainage ditch, hoping to help manage water around the sensitive trees.
- I covered the dead grass with cardboard. I placed cardboard over the treated area before mulching.
- I mulched over the cardboard. This created the continuous dark bed shown in the photo below.
What to consider on your property
Identify the trees and the grass-control product before using a chemical. Use only a product labeled for the intended site, follow its current directions, and avoid drift or contact with desirable plants. GroundClear formulations differ; check the exact product label for use around trees.
Cardboard under established trees can affect water and air reaching the soil; consider the tree's needs and local conditions and consult an arborist before using it. Keep mulch off trunks and root flares. Before digging, locate utilities and be mindful of shallow tree roots; do not assume a shallow edge alone solves a persistent drainage problem or direct runoff onto a neighboring property.
Know your limits
For chronic wet ground, declining trees or a proposed change to drainage, consult an arborist or drainage professional.