Typically, tree roots and grass roots occupy different regions in the soil or what we tree people call the “rhizosphere”. Tree roots grow deep to stabilize themselves and unlock beneficial nutrients on lower horizons but, here in North Carolina, we have a high content of clay in our soils and the deeper you dig the richer the clay content becomes. High clay soils are low in pore space and do not provide enough oxygen for the roots to breathe. A tree responds by directing its’ roots towards the surface where more oxygen and organic content is available. Tree roots should extend out and tap into water reserves in places where grass roots cannot but when we make grass roots and and tree roots compete for available resources by watering improperly the result may not be greener on the other side of the fence…

More to come about this topic later but in the mean time, let us know what you think might happen.