--- title: Taking Out a Lawn Without Killing the Trees url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/lawn-conversion-and-trees/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - [The Field Guide](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/) - Taking out a lawn without killing the trees # Taking out a lawn without killing the trees When you replace a lawn with a water-efficient landscape, mature trees that have been watered by the lawn sprinklers can lose their water. Plan drip irrigation for the trees before you shut off the sprinklers, and keep soil work out of the root zone. Key takeaways - The Truckee Meadows Water Authority recommends sprinklers for turf and drip irrigation for trees, shrubs and flowers. - Most of a tree's fine, water-absorbing roots are in the top 6 inches of soil, where machines and sod cutters work. - Do not pile fill soil over tree roots. - Mulch 2 to 4 inches deep under the drip line is the ISA's alternative to turf under trees. Water-saving lawn conversions are good for the aquifer and the water bill. They are hard on trees that never had their own water supply. ## Why do trees suffer when the lawn goes? Many yard trees get most of their water from lawn sprinklers that run on a short cycle. Take the lawn out and those sprinklers go too, but the tree's roots are still looking for water in the same place. The TMWA landscape guide points out that in a water-efficient yard sprinklers are used for turf, which can be the most water-intensive part of a landscape, while drip systems are recommended for trees, shrubs and flowers, planned in water zones. It also notes summer water use is about four times winter use because of outdoor irrigation, and that our annual rainfall averages seven inches. A tree that depended on lawn water needs its own water plan before the lawn goes. Read [watering mature trees in the high desert](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/watering-mature-trees-high-desert/). ## What should happen to the soil and roots? The ISA says the majority of a tree's fine, water-absorbing roots are in the top 6 inches of soil. Scraping sod with a machine near a tree, tilling or trenching for new irrigation lines can cut or expose those roots. Use hand tools near the trunk, keep trenches out of the root zone where you can, and place drip emitters under the canopy, out from the trunk, where the fine roots are. The ISA also warns that fill soil added around existing mature trees can reduce soil oxygen and suffocate roots. Do not bring in soil or rock base to raise the grade under a tree. See [trenching and grade changes near trees](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/trenching-and-grade-changes-near-trees/). ## What goes under the tree instead of turf? The ISA's preferred alternative to turf around trees is mulching, with a 2 to 4 inch layer of wood chips, bark or other organic material over the soil beneath the drip line. Keep mulch off the trunk, and avoid mulch volcanoes. The ISA says too much mulch can harm trees. In fire country, check your fire district before choosing mulch near the house. The Living With Fire guide limits wood mulch to about an inch deep in the lean, clean and green zone and asks for none in the first 5 feet. See [what is defensible space](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/what-is-defensible-space/) and [free wood chips: uses and limits](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/free-wood-chips-uses-limits/). ## How do I watch for trouble? Watch the tree after the conversion: smaller leaves, early fall color, thin crowns and dieback in the top are signs the tree is stressed. The ISA suggests checking new leaf or bud formation, leaf size, twig growth and absence of dieback. If you see them, call an arborist before the next summer. See [drought stress and dieback](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-guide/drought-stress-and-dieback/). ## Can you help? We remove trees that fail after a conversion, but our first suggestion is a consultation before the work. A certified arborist can look at which trees will lose water and how the root zones sit. Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) or request a free estimate. We do not design irrigation systems. ### Sources - [Truckee Meadows Water Authority: Water Efficient Landscape Guide](https://tmwa.com/water/water-efficient-landscape/) (read October 17, 2026) - [International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Trees and Turf (brochure)](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/siteContent/pdf/Web%20TAG%20brochures/TAG_CBweb_Trees%20and%20Turf_v2.pdf) (read October 17, 2026) - [International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Proper Mulching Techniques (brochure)](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/siteContent/pdf/Web%20TAG%20brochures/TAG_CBweb_Proper%20Mulch%20Tech_v2.pdf) (read October 17, 2026) - [University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Living With Fire Defensible Space Guide (SP-23-07)](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=5522) (read October 17, 2026) ### Talk to the office [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered | Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service. [Free estimate](#quote) ### Keep reading - [Watering mature trees in the high desert](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/watering-mature-trees-high-desert/) - [Best time to prune trees in Northern Nevada](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/best-time-to-prune-trees-northern-nevada/) - [Winter watering for high desert trees](https://battleborntreeservice.com/blog/winter-watering-high-desert-trees/) - [Drought stress and dieback](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-guide/drought-stress-and-dieback/) - [Arborist consultation](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/arborist-consultation/) - [Tree service for homeowners](https://battleborntreeservice.com/who-we-serve/homeowners/) ### Terms on this page [Drip line](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/drip-line/) [Arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/arborist/) [The full glossary](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/) ## More from the blog Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### What should you do with your trees in October in Carson City and Reno? In October, finish watering while the ground is open, look over your trees for dead or hanging limbs, and clear leaves and needles away from the house. Save most live-wood pruning for the dormant seas Pruning and care October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Young trees in new subdivisions: the first ten years A young tree in a new subdivision needs very little pruning in its first two or three years, then steady structural pruning to build one strong central trunk and well-spaced branches. The ISA says tre Removal and equipment October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Where tree debris and green waste go in Reno and Carson City Green waste has a few legitimate homes in our area: the landfill or transfer station if the load is only wood and green waste, a fire district drop-off day or curbside chipping program if you qualify, [All posts](https://battleborntreeservice.com/blog/) ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243). Phones are answered seven days a week. ### Can I water my tree with the new drip system? A drip system can do that if it is planned for the tree. Ask the designer to put emitters under the canopy area, not at the trunk. ### How much water does a tree need? It depends on species, size and soil. Our high-desert watering guide gives the principles, and an arborist can look at your tree. ### Will rock mulch hurt my tree? The ISA describes inorganic mulches as lasting longer but not improving soil. Keep any mulch off the trunk and ask an arborist about your site. ### Does the water authority have guidance? Yes. The TMWA Water Efficient Landscape Guide has sections on design, irrigation and trees.