If You Have A Maple Tree In Your Yard, Avoid Planting This Type Of Grass
You've probably heard of companion planting, which is the practice of planting certain plants together because of the mutual benefits they provide for each other. Planting ryegrass and maple trees together has the opposite effect; you could call it "enemy planting" because they get along so poorly. Most trees typically don't accommodate grass well, but maple trees can be especially difficult to plant anything under because of root growth. Red maples, for instance, can grow horizontal roots as long as 80 feet, so it can be difficult to grow anything above them.
Grass loves sunshine, and a hearty maple with a large canopy doesn't allow much light for plants below. Ample pruning may allow some rays to poke through, but you'll likely have dappled sunlight at best. You can grow ryegrass outside of the maple tree's canopy area, but it's still not a great pairing. Instead, choose other plants to go right underneath, or consider a non-plant option like mulch.
Ryegrass and maple trees don't grow together
Perennial ryegrass may not be right for your lawn if you have a maple tree. Ryegrass grows the best in well-draining soil, though it can tolerate occasionally wet soil. It requires quite a bit of water to stay happy and needs to be watered often. When planted next to a maple tree, these plants compete for water. Maple trees have numerous roots, both large and small, making them more capable of soaking up water quickly. Maple trees can adapt root growth to their situation, so whether the area is dry or wet, the maple will still find a way to optimally receive water. Ryegrass will likely struggle to obtain enough water when planted near a maple. The plants also have to compete for nutrients. Ryegrass needs plenty of nitrogen to grow well, but the tree can soak it up just like it can with water.
Though ryegrass is a competitive grower to other grasses, it really doesn't stand a chance next to maple trees. It won't receive enough sunlight, water, or nutrients. If that isn't bad enough, it likely won't have enough space to grow since maple trees develop shallow horizontal roots. As the maple tree grows and spreads out, its roots will take up space on the surface. This can prevent ryegrass roots from getting established, even if their roots are much smaller and more shallow than the maple's.
Alternative plant options to pair with maples
You don't have to leave the area underneath the tree bare. There are many shade-tolerant plants that can handle the rough competition maple trees put up. Ground cover plants are ideal since they can cover the bare patches that are found under maple trees. Sweet woodruff is a popular choice because it lays low to the ground and produces tons of small white flowers. Spotted deadnettle will add extra splotches of color to your yard, thanks to their purple flowers. Hostas come in all shapes and sizes and will add a beautiful pop of green to your landscape.
If shallow roots are making it difficult to plant even these shade-loving plants under your maple, you can use mulch and woodchips over the area for a more uniform look. Just keep in mind that maple roots have a tendency to spread out and may eventually take over the entire lawn as time progresses, which is why you should avoid planting them too close to your house. Keep an eye on your tree's roots and adjust your landscaping decisions as needed.