Lawn around Weeping Willows in bad shape

[tatertot]

I live in Idaho and*have two large weeping willows in my front lawn.* They provide great shade, but also block the lawn from any sun.* The grass barely grows and is thin.* Also the ground is really bumpy which I assume is due to the high amount of worms in the dirt.* I am wondering if it is possible to have both healthy willows and a lush lawn.* One person I spoke to at a garden shop said it was either one or the other.* Any suggestions?*Other than getting rid of the willows, because that is just not an option, they are so beautiful!* Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Newt]

Hi Tatertot,

I totally agree with the wise person at the garden shop.* Choose one or the other.* Lawn grasses aka turf need full to part sun to thrive.* Weeping willows, unless they are the dwarf variety, will grow roots up to 100' from the base of the tree!!* Yup, that is one hundred feet.* Here's some sites about tree roots and turf.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WO017
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/trees_turf.aspx
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/02926.html

Consider planting a shade loving groundcover that will tolerate the dry conditions or mulching under the trees.
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.aspx

Newt

[tatertot]

Bummer, I was afraid of that, thanks though.

[Newt]

You are very welcome!* I guess it's:
trees - 1
grass - 0

Newt

[Quirky Quercus]

The reasonon your grass is suffering is probably because of root competition with the willow's roots. Just extend the mulch ring there and have your turf someplace else.