St Augustine under Magnolia Tree

mikie – posted 08 August 2001 12:33

Nov of last yr started plugging St Petersburg yard with Bitter Blue – was an ongoing effort that was, for the most part, finished in April.

There’s one Magnolia tree in the yard, about 20 foot tall, probably about the same 20′ diameter, off the NW corner of the single story house. Walk under it just fine with lots of head clearance.

Have pretty good growth of bitter blue all around the Magnolia – turf under that tree has been sparse, always looking in need of more sun or something. . That area receives the exact same care as elsewhere, and elsewhere has Oaks & their shade. .

Suddenly the turf under the Magnolia canopy started some browning, almost an exact imprint of its high-noon shadow.

I tow/core aerated & fertilized on schedule with Scotts-MaxGuard(insect) Turf Builder. A week later ground is bare under the tree & still looks super great elsewhere.

Any suggestions or ideas as to what’s happening to the st augustine under the Magnolia tree?

Thanks

Kelley – posted 20 April 2002 10:00

I am in Dallas and have the exact same problem. Did you ever receive a response or find a solution? Am considering an ivy groundcover but am worried that overplanting (adding soil over exposed roots of tree) will be harmful…

quote:Originally posted by mikie:Nov of last yr started plugging St Petersburg yard with Bitter Blue – was an ongoing effort that was, for the most part, finished in April.

There’s one Magnolia tree in the yard, about 20 foot tall, probably about the same 20′ diameter, off the NW corner of the single story house. Walk under it just fine with lots of head clearance.

Have pretty good growth of bitter blue all around the Magnolia – turf under that tree has been sparse, always looking in need of more sun or something. . That area receives the exact same care as elsewhere, and elsewhere has Oaks & their shade. .

Suddenly the turf under the Magnolia canopy started some browning, almost an exact imprint of its high-noon shadow.

I tow/core aerated & fertilized on schedule with Scotts-MaxGuard(insect) Turf Builder. A week later ground is bare under the tree & still looks super great elsewhere.

Any suggestions or ideas as to what’s happening to the st augustine under the Magnolia tree?

Thanks

WillR – posted 16 May 2002 17:49

^bump^