Hi, I am new here and in desperate need of help! I am in DFW area. Our backyard is/always has been bermuda on heavy clay soil. We have a maple tree in the center of the yard which has grown a LOT just in the last 2 years, as well as a dog and children who play outside. The problem is that the grass has thinned terribly on the west side of the tree--was just weeds by early spring. We weren't sure what to do--after all the spring rain it was just a mud pit--so we put down more bermuda sod in late spring so the kids would have something to play on. The bermuda took off and looked great for about 2 months. Now IT is starting to thin out in the same spot. I know it does get sunlight during the day--not sure how many hours--but is also shaded part of the time. So--is it the shade, the traffic, the ENORMOUS amount of rain, soil compaction, what??? I am not as concerned about what the grass looks like back there as I am about having something the kids can play on. I can't handle having muddy kids (and a muddy dog) all the time!!! What do I do? Please help!!

Sheri