Knowledgebase
Grass without roots #769066
Asked August 25, 2021, 10:57 AM EDT
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
If grub damage can be ruled out (no grubs present), bentgrass (a guess) is the next thing that comes to mind. This shallow rooted grass spreads extensively via above ground stolons and forms extensive dense patches of fine textured, puffy stems. Sizeable portions of these unrooted stems can be easily lifted and removed from the lawn.
Go here to learn more about bentgrass and ways to control it:
https://u.osu.edu/athleticfieldmanagement/2017/04/06/selective-creeping-bentgrass-control/
http://kentcoopextension.blogspot.com/2008/03/turfgrass-tenacity-herbicide-mesotrione.html
I’m not very tech. I will send a few more in a different reply as this says I have reached my attachment level♀️
I’m not very tech. I will send a few more in a different reply as this says I have reached my attachment level♀️
I’m not very tech. I will send a few more in a different reply as this says I have reached my attachment level♀️
I’m not very tech. I will send a few more in a different reply as this says I have reached my attachment level♀️
The photos are fine. However, based upon what we can see, we can't confirm or rule out the presence of bentgrass. We will get back to you about this. Thanks.
Although we can't confirm the presence of bentgrass, another grassy weed called rough bluegrass has similar characteristics. It too spreads by stolons is shallow rooted, and therefore easily uprooted.
Because we can't reliably identify grass species by viewing photos, we can't be sure rough bluegrass is present either. However, the following publication describes this grassy weed and its characteristics. Perhaps you can use the illustrations to determine whether rough bluegrass is present.
https://turf.purdue.edu/roughstalk-bluegrass/
If rough bluegrass is present and extensive, complete lawn renovation may be needed to eliminate it.
Compact soil and heavy thatch can also result in shallow rooted grass. Go here to learn about that:
https://extension.umn.edu/lawncare/how-control-thatch-your-lawn
If you remain uncertain, a reliable lawn care professional should be able to help you diagnose the problem and take action to correct it.
As a last resort send turf samples for analysis to the University of Wisconsin Turfgrass Diagnostic Laboratory. The lab will be able to identify the grass species and determine whether disease or pest factors account for the problem.
https://tdl.wisc.edu
https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/g1617.pdf
As you mentioned, squirrels might be creating holes in the turf. Raccoons and skunks sometimes cause similar damage searching for soil insects.