Actually Matt, I was also wondering if that would help. It would at least rule out the compitition from the tree. If the line of dead grass follows the edges of the limbs over it, it makes me more strongly suspect the tree, even though it does sound odd. How is the grass outside of the drip line of the tree, farther out than the dead grass? Bambi Coastal Carolina USDA zone 8 Sunset zone 31 > I'm halfway considering root pruning about a foot inside the ring, just to >see what happens. Or maybe a soaker hose sitting on top of the ring once a >week? > > THanks >Matt Trahan <matttrahan@ecsu.campus.mci.net> or <garden@juno.com> >USDA zone 8, AHS heat zone 7, Sunset zone 31, northeastern N.C. > >