Repairing Lawn Ruts from Heavy Equipment

Quick Fixes for Deep Tire Tracks

Tree removal trucks often leave 4-inch ruts that ruin a lawn's appearance and drainage. The repair method depends on whether grass survives in the rut bottoms.

If Grass Remains

Use a spade to lift the sod strips from the rut bottoms and set them aside. Fill the depressions with topsoil or a soil-sand mix, firm lightly, then replace the sod. Water well to re-establish root contact.

If Ruts Are Bare

Fill with quality topsoil, level with the surrounding grade, and either seed or lay new sod. For seeding, use the same grass type as the existing lawn. Keep moist until established.

Address ruts promptly—before weeds colonize them—and your lawn will recover seamlessly.