Putting a new lawn, how many inches of soil do I need?

Answer this Hometalker's question!http://homeguides.sfgate.com/determine-much-topsoil-spread-new-lawn-54636.html

If there's no light filtering through the leaves to the base of the tree, prune up to at least six feet. Putting down a layer of 8 inches of soil and using shade tolerant grass seed, may bring you some success. However, trees are notorious for not wanting anything to grow under them. So if your grass doesn't take, build a flower box around the base and use plants that like a bit of alkaline in their soil. Good luck.

Really don’t take much dirt at all to get the grass to germinate. But I always try to add enough dirt over the seeds so that the birds don’t get to the grass seeds! Another trick I learned that really works well is taking a clear sheet of plastic and lay it on the ground over your area where your grass seed is. It’ll create condensation and water itself and act like a green house. I was amazed how my grass grew from seed with the plastic over it! Got to be clear plastic though so it gets plenty of sun light!

Grass will never be very successful under trees, so be aware - maybe treat with Bark and a Seat or make a raised bed around and plant it up.