You have a very common problem! Keep in mind what grass needs to grow: Sun, water and nutrients. The dense tree canopy, coupled with the extensive root system, combines to limit all three of these things in your lawn. In order to compensate, you need to have the best shade tolerant grasses available, extra water during dry conditions and adequate fertilization. Getting grass seed to grow in an area like this is can be easy. Keeping it from thinning over time is the trick.

Give these simple steps a try:

  1. Come spring, use Earl May Shady Side Grass Seed. Make sure the soil is well cultivated and add Structure Soil Conditioner to the existing soil. After sowing and lightly raking, add a starter fertilizer for seeding.
  2. Water daily until grass is growing and has been mowed 2-3 times.
  3. Transition to watering twice a week.
  4. Fertilize in October with fall lawn food.
  5. The following year, water weekly if no there’s no rain. Especially in the hot summer! Fertilize at least 3 times with quality slow release fertilizer throughout the season.

If you do this, you will be doing everything possible to maintain grass under the tree.

The other thing to consider is pruning off some of the bottom braches to open the canopy to allow more light to pass through.