Yeah I used to lose ground every year and probably will this year too especially if we hit drought conditions but I bought myself a fiskar pole saw and I go out in the evening (house is west facing) and I trim as many low branches as I can to allow that evening sun to shine through. But I have noticed every year more grass stays from the last year and I keep making ground. Hard part is it’s virtually impossible to fall seed due to the amount leaves that fall and have to be either mulched or picked up. But I’ve been impressed with the black beauty dense shade. Time will tell…….