Question
We put down 120 yards on a sandy lot with lots of oak trees in early spring and most of it has died off.  Different people have told us that it is an acid from the oak tree but no one knows what to do for it.  Can you help?

Answer
Hi Bonnie,

That doesn't really give me much to work with.  Oak trees can be allelopathic (toxic to surrounding plants), but whether or not that is your case remains to be seen.  It could be excessive shade from the trees.  It could be that the soil on the sod was so different than the existing sand, that a layering problem occurred that didn't allow for drainage.  It could have simply been that the temperatures got too hot before the roots had a chance to dig deep.  The sod may actually have been bad.

All I can tell you is that you will need to start over, and I'd recommend making sure the topsoil is good by adding extra.  Remove the dead sod, and this time start with a good Sun & Shade seed mix.  If it fails again, the seed won't need to be removed like the sod would.

Unfortunately, without soil tests and consistent professional opinions, it can get hard to figure out what needs to be done.  I feel confident that removing the sod, laying more topsoil and seeding will be a good step in the right direction.  

Good luck Bonnie!

-C.J. Brown
www.TheLawnCoach.com