I think that's how the base of trees is supposed to look, isn't it? You might be able to put a skim coat of mulch, but don't put too much because piling mulch up around the bottom of trees forces the roots to choke and kills the tree. There are going to be a lot of roots around that large of a tree so you'll have a hard time planting anything.

How do you suggest I improve the image of it? I will deffintely add some more seed around the bare areas but are there any plants anybody suggests I use?

What about succulents....some Chicks 'n Hens? +/- some other types of ground covers? I love the look of the roots around the base of this tree and would try to accentuate them opposed to hiding them!

How about a ground cover such as pachysandra?

I planted ivy around two trees in front yard that had this problem. It takes no maintenance but an occasional trim.
Looks great. This was fifteen years ago and has not bothered
The trees.

That depends on the soil moisture and your zone. If your in a dry climate: Red-twig dogwood bushes are a good color pop in both spring & fall, plus they are a light feeder, so it won't compete too much with the tree. They can get quite large, but are leggy. If the soil stays moist under there & you can find a deep enough soil spot, hydrangeas are always a good shade plant & they give color for a few months during spring & summer. Combined with some variegated hostas, and some ground cover, that would be a stunning shady spot. Finally, if you don't have enough soil for other plants, putting in some Lilly of the valley (which can be invasive in zones 7 & up), is another option for shade with color and spring fragrance.

You're going to have trouble getting anything to thrive under the tree. Looks like roots are very close to the surface -- plants will have to compete with the tree for moisture and the tree will win every time. I have a large maple in my backyard and the only thing I've successfully gotten to establish is epimedium, and that has taken perseverance. I suggest experimenting with ground covers that grow in dry shade and see what works. If you find a winner plant more of that. You'll probably find that the plants farthest from the trunk do the best. You can add compost or mulch but keep it away from the trunk.

In the meantime, some garden art, an attractive bench or flower baskets hanging from a low branch can add some visual appeal.

You might consult a nursery or arborist regarding planting anything close to or right up against the trunk. I'm not sure about your tree (maple?) but we have very old oak trees. An arborist recently told us to keep a wide, clear perimeter around the base of the trees.

Yes, maple

i consider grass .. the most invasive weed in this and all universes ...

if grass will not grow under a tree ... then i might suggest that nothing else will ... and its not surprising.. under a maple of that size ...

every hole you dig.. will be refilled with new aggressive maple roots.. almost as fast as you can pull the hose over there every single day to water anything you pop in there ... you might confirm my opinion in the tree forum ...

being a tree maven .. i suspect i would not be able to convince you.. that it looks sublime right now .... some peeps have to hike in forests.. to see something like this ...

ken

ps: i might be inclined to replant the rock ... and i wonder if reflected heat off the blacktop is also a variable ... further reducing available moisture for anything you might plant ...