I cross references this post in home improvement as well...

New home build in DFW area. Spec sheet says builder will lay Bermuda sod. House has lots of trees and shade where all sod would be laid. I was thinking maybe zoysia would grow better around trees and look bette? Not a grass expert, but want a good looking, green lawn. Any recommendations?

Zoysia seems to be much more tolerant in a yard with mixed sun and shade. I put down zoysia this spring in a new yard. I've been impressed with how well it does in both heavy shade and lots of sun. My neighbor has it too. His sprinklers had some problems back in May and his lawn dried up and turned yellow. A few weeks after the sprinklers were running it had greened back up and looked good. I've been very impressed with it so far and I don't think it will spread to areas you don't want it as bermuda tends to do.

Good choice.

Zoisia is much slower growing. Meaning it won't spread as fast (like bermuda, which is considered a weed in many areas), but also will take longer to recover in heavy use areas (don't use it on a football field).

Much more shade tolerant than bermuda.

Lot's of it inside the walls of the Alamo.

As with all (many?) grasses, water less often and deeper, so it promotes root growth, making it more drought tolerant. And fertilize properly.

St Augustine > Zoysia > Bermuda as far as shade tolerance goes, so between the two zoysia will be your better bet if you have a fair amount of shade in the yard.

agfan2013 said:

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St Augustine > Zoysia > Bermuda as far as shade tolerance goes, so between the two zoysia will be your better bet if you have a fair amount of shade in the yard.

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I could go St Augustine as well. That is currently what we have at our current house and love it.

Palisade Zoysia all the way.
More drought tolerant than St. Aug with less insect/fungal issues.
Bermuda will thin out & look terrible with less than 7-8 hours FULL sun.

Do you have large dogs? The zoysia will have some trouble with heavy traffic over the same area constantly and since it is slow growing, it will take a while to regrow.

AtlAg05 said:

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Do you have large dogs? The zoysia will have some trouble with heavy traffic over the same area constantly and since it is slow growing, it will take a while to regrow.

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No dogs at all. Sounds like it is between zoysia and st Augustine I'm gonna post some pics so y'all get an idea of shade/tree coverage

St. Aug. is the most shade tolerant but it will also thin out without 3 or 4 of sunlight. You may need to do some serious tree trimming to get any turf to grow.

Front view from road, house located at top shelf

Backyard view, underbrush has been cleared but all trees were kept

I have zeon zoysia and a lot of shade, looks great! stay on top of watering appropriately and insecticides.