Question
We just moved into a new development. We have a massive oak tree in our back with mud & weeds all around. We are getting ready to landscape & have been actively attacking the weeds, including those under the tree & near the trunk with a hoe. Could we be damaging the tree? We don't know how to landscape either - we're afraid of overwatering. Should we leave a large diameter around the trunk alone? We were told it's a 200 year old tree - we don't want to kill it!! Help

Answer
The roots of trees are in the first two feet of soil and extend about twice the width of the foliage spread. The critical roots are within the drip line of the foliage. As long as you are not digging more then a few inches in the soil your are not damaging the roots. Do not fill in around the tree with more than a couple of inches of soil, this will smother the roots. I would suggest a mulch or a low growing annual plant that will grow in the shade. I assume you can not get grass to grow there. Grass would be the preferred plant. You might want to check with your local nursery and ask what type of grass would grow in the shade under the oak. The weeds can be sprayed with a herbicide for grass this type will not harm the tree Do not use a weed and feed fertilizer this will kill the tree.