"FDR" fdr@kjdfgkdfkl wrote:

Yeah, but tree roots tend to suck up water as well, don't they?

Yes, they do. You have to weigh the benefits of shade and the nice look of
a mature tree on your property versus the water it will require and take
from your lawn. To me, the benefits outweight the disbenefits.

As you probably know, once a tree grows and becomes mature its root system
will extend far beyond your property and into your neighbors' property as
the tree's roots search for moisture. So your tree will be getting moisture
from your neighbors' property as well as your property. Conversely, if
your neighbors have mature trees, they are already drawing moisture from
your property.

My point is that once a tree grows to a mature size, it will not be draining
your lawn of all its moisture, but getting moisture from areas far beyond
your lawn as well. And of course, providing shade to your lawn will reduce
the lawn's moisture requirements, balancing out some of the moisture the
tree takes from the lawn.