Removed dead turf around tree and planted pollinator friendly deer resistant natives, replaced all bed plants with natives and converted to drip irrigation.
To remove turf and xeriscape you can convert to mulch or rock or a combination
This shady area under oaks was all just roots and dirts a few years ago...
This and the next two photos are of a butterfly garden under native oaks, recently on our local Garden Tour
Part of my front garden in June, a past Garden Club and Native Plant Society tour site and Yard of the Month
All natives, I did this yard years ago and all the plants survive drought, freezes, ice storms, deer, and irrigation restrictions.
A xeriscape option
The next photos are of my recently redesigned front yard, formerly turf
Some will think this is “messy”, but it’s a bird and butterfly magnet!