Selective weed treatment around a tree.

[Chillum]

I have an area of garden (8ft square) which has an small acer tree in he middle.
I, and by "I" I mean my partner, wants to try to plant the area with grass.
Apart from the fact hat this area is very hard to level off and that the grass may struggle in the shade of the tree, the soil is badly affected by weeds.
Is there any way I can treat the soil for weeds without causing damage to the tree?

[boxtops]

Others may advise differently but I wouldn't advise it - some tree roots are quite close to the surface. I think you will have to pull out the weeds by hand and then hoe the soil to catch any tiny ones you've missed. I'd suggest that if the area is poor, you turf it rather than seed it.

[landscaper2]

'Roundup' will not harm the tree, but you will still need to carry out some form of cultivation(skim off dead weeds and loosed soi)l before turfing. If it is possible, a layer of screened soil (50mm ish)over the area would provide an even base and give the roots a chance to get going

[Chillum]

Thanks for your replies and advice..as ever, it seems that there's no substitute for a bit of hard work.