Laying turf is the best way to transform bare ground into a beautiful lawn, as the effect is instantaneous. Not only does this mean you can enjoy your new grass right away, it also means there's no need to worry about pest or disease ruining the lawn before it's really grown.
Putting the turf in place isn't too difficult when you have a flat, empty area to work with. But if the area isn't flat, it can become a little tricky. In particular, working around a tree provides a bit of a challenge when you're laying turf. As long as you know what you're doing in advance, however, it's not too difficult to get it right.
Choosing your turf
When there's a tree, there's most likely going to be some shade. With mature trees, this shade can be quite significant, so it's important to use a type of grass that's happy in shady areas. A variety like buffalo turf for sale is ideal, as it's noted for its shade tolerance and you shouldn't run into any problems. Even if the tree is young, remember that it won't always be and that the shaded area will grow over time. It pays to prepare in advance so you don't have to rethink your lawn in a few years.
Leaving the right space
Because trees drink a lot of water, there's a risk of your turf drying out in the immediate area around the base of the trunk. It's a good idea to leave a significant gap—at least a foot in diameter, preferably more—around the tree to allow for this. If you don't like the way bare earth looks, it can be covered with bark chips or a similar mulch, which will look attractive and help to help to keep weeds and fungus away.
Working with roots
Mature trees often have roots that are exposed above ground, which presents a bit of a challenge when you're laying turf. One option is to widen the circle around the tree so the roots are left well clear, but if they're particularly long then this might not be a suitable solution.
You could cover them with topsoil and lay turf over the top of them, but if you do this, the uneven ground might be the least of your problems. The roots can either dry out or over-water your lawn.
Another alternative is to simply leave gaps for the roots, which won't look too bad once the turf settles in. You could also plant some shade-tolerant plants or flowers to disguise the roots and create a nice display at the bottom of the tree.
