I can't believe the roots. Dug thousands of stringy roots under a 20-year old spruce today. I had no idea they put out shallow threadlike roots. No wonder the three hosta I planted there two years ago have whithered! It also poured rain while I was under there and I didn't get a drop on me. So what can I plant under this? We had to limb it up because the lower limbs grew over our flagstone path and slapped us in the face so it is limbed up about six or seven feet mostly on one side, but the tree is on a slight grade and leans so the other side has been left alone. I would just give up but we look right at junk of the neighbor's!! Is there ANYTHING besides cactus? I can water...which I've been doing with the hosta - and I even tried some impatiens but I have to keep watering. Any suggestions appreciated very much. I don't know which is worse - the dry shade or the fine tree roots on the surface!

Westy