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Barren land

Hi. 
My neighbour has a beautiful Silver Birch that overhangs my garden. 
Problem is nothing grows underneath it other than weeds and brambles. 
What’s going on?
I want to lay turf under the overhang but I fear it will just die. What should I do?
cheers
Laurie (the non gardener)

Posts

  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    edited February 2021
    I don’t think you should have any problem with turf but you will have to be extremely diligent with the watering, possibly for 3+ months.

    Silver birches have lots of roots close to the surface so digging below the canopy is a struggle. Try to remove all the brambles and the perennial weeds and, ideally, add some compost and top soil before you lay the turf. And, once it is down, keep watering.

    We have a stand of silver birches in the garden and I let the grass there grow long because I like the meadow look and there is significant underplanting of bluebells, snowdrops and daffodils. However, as you can see in the photo, tended lawn flourishes close to the trees as well.






    Rutland, England
  • Thanks Ben. 
    You’ve confirmed what I was thinking. I’m ordering the compost now and getting the cultivator out this weekend. 
    Thanks
    Laurie 👍
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Beautiful @BenCotto
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