- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
New home- question about removing trees and sodding the yard
Posted on 7/31/24 at 8:55 am
Posted on 7/31/24 at 8:55 am
We bought a home and will be closing next month. I don't have any real/on site pictures yet so all these pictures below were just taken straight from Zillow. Over the years I've grown to love getting out in the lawn and cutting grass. This home doesn't have any yard which is a bit of a bummer to me. One of the big reasons is that it's in kind of a woody area and there are pine needles EVERYWHERE, in addition to the front being in a good bit of shade. In a year or so I have a feeling I'm going to get the itch and want a yard again so would like some advice.
-BALLPARK estimate, what do you think it'd run me to get all of these offending pine trees removed? There's 4 inside the fenced in area (on the right of first pic), but plenty more just outside of it. Not sure if I can get by with just removing those 4 and just doing a good job at raking or if I'd need to take more out. Or hell, the opposite too...maybe only remove half of them and be diligent about raking? You can see in the first pic that the whole right side of the yard is all pine straw. The left side has some green and doesn't look to be affected as much.
-I've only ever had Bermuda before in my life. Assuming there will still be a good bit of shade I'm guessing I'd need to go with a Zoysia or St. Augustine when putting in sod? This is zone 8A.
-Since idk if this yard has ever really had much grass, would we need to do some kind of soil preparation first rather than just laying sod? I'd hate to put down a bunch of sod but then have all the soil underneath just be total shite.
-Is there anything else you pros can think of I may not be considering? If I were to really want to go this route, aside from removing a few trees and laying sod is there anything else of importance I'm not realizing?
-BALLPARK estimate, what do you think it'd run me to get all of these offending pine trees removed? There's 4 inside the fenced in area (on the right of first pic), but plenty more just outside of it. Not sure if I can get by with just removing those 4 and just doing a good job at raking or if I'd need to take more out. Or hell, the opposite too...maybe only remove half of them and be diligent about raking? You can see in the first pic that the whole right side of the yard is all pine straw. The left side has some green and doesn't look to be affected as much.
-I've only ever had Bermuda before in my life. Assuming there will still be a good bit of shade I'm guessing I'd need to go with a Zoysia or St. Augustine when putting in sod? This is zone 8A.
-Since idk if this yard has ever really had much grass, would we need to do some kind of soil preparation first rather than just laying sod? I'd hate to put down a bunch of sod but then have all the soil underneath just be total shite.
-Is there anything else you pros can think of I may not be considering? If I were to really want to go this route, aside from removing a few trees and laying sod is there anything else of importance I'm not realizing?
9
Posted on 7/31/24 at 9:09 am to WG_Dawg
No clue on cost. Just here to say that mowing that slopped yard will be a major PITA.
Posted on 7/31/24 at 9:15 am to Goldensammy
yeah for sure, I thought about that. Over the years reading on this board and other forums I've gotten my current yard in good shape and I just love taking care of it and that satisifed feeling of looking at it after a job well done. I just can't imagine not having any yard again (the new house doens't have a back yard either).
Posted on 7/31/24 at 9:19 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
St. Augustine when putting in sod?
St Augustine needs a lot of sun as well. People will tell you it doesn't require full sun, but if you want a thick, established, St Aug lawn that can essentially choke out weeds by itself. It needs full sun and to be watered regularly.
Removal of trees are going for around $1k in my area. But we likely have more cheap labor than you do in Georgia.....
Posted on 7/31/24 at 9:54 am to Goldensammy
quote:that, plus that treed landscape is gorgeous and is providing you with shade in the summer and habitat for wildlife.
No clue on cost. Just here to say that mowing that slopped yard will be a major PITA.
i would tell you that you are out of your damn mind if you asked me whether thats a good idea or not
Posted on 7/31/24 at 10:16 am to cgrand
quote:
i would tell you that you are out of your damn mind if you asked me whether thats a good idea or not
In the OP I was going to ask what the board thinks or would do, but figured that's impossible to answer since it's all based on personal opinion. Yours is noted though
And hey once we get moved in and settled, I may end up growing to love not having to cut grass anymore. Who knows.
Posted on 7/31/24 at 10:20 am to WG_Dawg
I'm guessing that you are in Hoover AL and trees falling on the house isn't a big concern. Even with that, I'd remove all trees that drop needles on your roof. Shingles will last longer. Plant dogwoods where pines are removed. Then shift your interest from grass to shade-tolerant ground cover: monkey grass, liriope, ivy, etc.
The soil may be fine unless it's just rocky red clay. The rocks will make improvement very difficult. Check to see if any landscaper/nursery has a stockpile of real natural topsoil. Start building areas for planting 3" a year. Much more than that might stress the shallow pine roots.
Enjoying a lovely lawn and finding the work rewarding is an age-related thing. Your body will change your mind for you.
The soil may be fine unless it's just rocky red clay. The rocks will make improvement very difficult. Check to see if any landscaper/nursery has a stockpile of real natural topsoil. Start building areas for planting 3" a year. Much more than that might stress the shallow pine roots.
Enjoying a lovely lawn and finding the work rewarding is an age-related thing. Your body will change your mind for you.
Posted on 7/31/24 at 10:43 am to WG_Dawg
pine trees suck
Posted on 7/31/24 at 12:02 pm to WG_Dawg
Yea, I’d avoid trying to establish a lawn on a sloped piece of property. Seems like a great way to waste a bunch of money.
Posted on 7/31/24 at 3:42 pm to WG_Dawg
If this is your backyard, what about building a massive deck out there? Probably a huge cost, but I would find it a massive pain in the arse to put anything out there worth growing unless it's purely wildflower. Maintaining a sloped lawn is going to suck.
Depending on where you are, trees can go for about $1k each.
Depending on where you are, trees can go for about $1k each.
Posted on 7/31/24 at 6:47 pm to WG_Dawg
Why not a butterfly or hummingbird garden? From where you are at currently to a nice patch of grass would take a lot of money and determination.
Posted on 8/1/24 at 5:22 pm to WG_Dawg
quote:
-I've only ever had Bermuda before in my life. Assuming there will still be a good bit of shade I'm guessing I'd need to go with a Zoysia or St. Augustine when putting in sod?
I bought a heavily wooded lot and did not want to cut trees. I like the forest. I put in centipede in the spaces that got some sun. It worked great.
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News