Hi I have 2 big maple trees about 12 years old. I have moved into the house about 5 years ago (In Chicago) . For 2 years I did not have any issues - The lawn was lush green. But now since past 2-3 years I see the maple tree roots are surfacing and I guess that is the reason my grass is dying.
Any suggestions?

Hi, New Member

Your lawn is probably dying for two reasons, both of which you can deal with in a way to keep the trees and grow grass.

First, the tree roots near the surface take up water and fertilizer which normally would have been used by the grass. You need to put down a bit extra fertilizer and water regularly in the tree root zone.

Second, the grass under the tree is not getting near as much sun as it used to. To get more sunlight to the grass you will need to (a) thin the branches and (b) possibly cut off the lower branches if you haven't done it yet. Check your state's Extension Service web site (associated with the state's land grant university) for directions on how to properly trim a tree.

Also, planting a pure shade mix of grass seed, available at most any hardware or garden store, will also give you much better grass coverage under your trees.

Hope this helps... good luck.

Thanks. Do I need to cut off the root ? Or add more soil ? I usually do not take care of he trees - meaning do not water the Or feed them. What kind of fertilizer is good for Maple trees? And the roots which almost surfaced, will they go back undergroud ?

Do not cut that root unless you are trying to kill the tree. Putting dirt on the root or cutting will compromise that tree. Nope, those roots are there to stay. Hate to point this out but have you ever noticed the floor of a densely wooded area? There is no grass because eventually even thinning isn't going to save your lawn. You might want to start over seeding with shade seed now as dMac suggests. Do not wait until summer for over sedding.

Hack the roots off. I have always done it to maple trees and the huge osage orange I have in my back yard. A sharpened pick ax allows you to shave them down. If they are silver maples, you may want to look at getting some higher quality trees started. The silver maples are attractive and fast growing, but become problems as they get bigger.