Have you checked pH?
What kind of grass is there? tryed?

 

kentucy blue grass then fescue

 

havent checked the ph

 

Realize grass does poorly in dense shade and an oak tree more then likely is creating dense shade.

 

Agree and probably an acidic phThumbs Up
Test pH , improve soil,trim trees and try a shade mix grass
Kentucky blue prefers sun
Or make a mulch bed or ground cover under the trees

 

oak leaf is acidic (i think its tannins) , ide lime the soil

 

Is it to late to lime the soil?

 

Also a mature tree soaks a ton of moisture from the soil. If it's not extremely well watered grass has little chance compared to a tree. Others have mentioned some good points as well. Need sun,water,and nutrition for grass to grow.

 

I read that a mature oak tree sucks up about 800 gallons of water a DAY from the surrounding soil. Grass and trees don't mix well. Tree rings or goundcovers is the way to go.

 

Is it to late this year to put lime down?

 

I will try the things mentioned here

 

Get a soil test and go from there it's not too late to lime but better to know what you are dealing with first
If needed lime late winter/ early spring
Please update the progress and any other questionsThumbs Up

 

Did you know that grass and oak trees really just don't get along?

All of the above comments are helpful but Oak trees also put out a chemical that kills grass. It's a chemical warfare mechanism that oak trees use to flourish at the expense of the lawn. It's called allelopathy and you can read more about it here.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/landscaping/implement/trees_turf.html

Do everything already mentioned and rake up all of the leaves and acorns. Don't let them compost in the lawn.

 

Good information in the linkThumbs UpThumbs Up
I didn't realize oak does the growth suppression chemicals
Classic example is black walnut

 

Fine fescue?

 

I have two big oak trees. Shade is a problem, for sure. Oak trees do not cause acid soil. Have a professional arborist evaluate the trees. He will probably see many branches that could be taken off to improve the health of the trees. Chances are he will see many opportunities to trim the trees to shape them, reduce the danger in case of wind storms, let in more light and increase the value of the property.
Be sure to explore the many shade-adapted ornamental plants. For example: hosta, pachysandra, myrtle, wild ginger, mondo grass, ferns, primrose, lamium, euonymous, ivy, virginia creeper, ajuga...

And try to find an attractive piece of art or bird bath to serve as an accent in the bark chip areas.

 

I'd lots rather have my trees with no grass under them than have perfect green grass and no trees.

 

Agree and in my opinion all trees in a lawn should have a bed around them it keeps the string trimmer away from the trunk
and doesn't compact the soil around the roots
and running over surface roots sucks

 

A customer wanted some tree rings to plant shade tolerant plants in. There is a inner ring to keep the soil away from the trunk. Is it likely the weight of the soil in the rings could damage the root system? Soil is composted yard trimmings that has been piled up for around 20 years.

 

A customer wanted some tree rings to plant shade tolerant plants in. There is a inner ring to keep the soil away from the trunk. Is it likely the weight of the soil in the rings could damage the root system? Soil is composted yard trimmings that has been piled up for around 20 years.

The good thing is you have protected the trunks from mulch volcanoes.
https://extension.illinois.edu/gardenerscorner/issue_07/spring_05_11.cfm
Unfortunately over time the tree trunks will out grow the limited space of the inner ring and the "tree rings" will need to be removed.
Another option would be to use container plantings.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/home/ct-sun-0313-garden-morton-20160308-story.html

 

This is why.

 

It’s interesting that nut producing trees seem to be a common culprit here.

 

An interesting book:
https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Life-Trees-Communicate_Discoveries-Secret/dp/1771642483

 

That looks like an interesting book. I have not read it, however as a scientist, alarm bells and flashing lights start going off in my head whenever I hear or read of anybody associating human characteristics to plants and inanimate objects. Maybe there is some good science in there, but the psychology of associating human characteristics to plants just seems pretty silly to me.

 

Ah, but the ability to communicate and cooperate are not limited to humans. I can't say I agree with everything in this book, but it did give me some deeper insights into how nature works.

 

Peter Wohlleben (Author: The hidden life of trees) is an interesting guy for sure. My brother sent me the book.
True, he ascribes human emotions to trees, showing how trees compete with each other for light and soil nutrients.

 

Heres what i have done so far. Lime last winter then put down starter fert 18 24 12 Seems to be coming back much better finely i see grass I ll weed and feed in a few weeks

 

This thread reminds me of countless conversations with customers. "Why doesn't grass grow well here"? Because of the trees/shade/root zone. Customer really doesn't believe me and ask what can be done. Cut the trees down. "I don't want to do that". Then you don't want grass.

Forward to some time later same customer. Why doesn't grass grow well here? Same answer.

 

Is doing very well right now i think every year i ll lime and add starter fert

 

i also like top feeding with good compost , or top soil if dont have a mulch pile , around oaks . top feeding say like an inch every year for several years builds up a layer of rich soil right on surface for grass to feed on

 

i also like top feeding with good compost , or top soil if dont have a mulch pile , around oaks . top feeding say like an inch every year for several years builds up a layer of rich soil right on surface for grass to feed on

Thanks I'll remember this

 

Well heres what giving me the best resluts. Lime in winter. aeration sring and fall. Seed in fall and sometimes spring. Then pick up oak leaves dont mulch them in. Doing all this i have grasss there under the oak