[USCC] Compost and tree planting

[frank]

Hi Michele,

Putting compost in a backfill hole is a high risk use - but I would 
still do it. To do it the mix of compost with native soil must be 
perfect because there is no exit plan for the plant. No place for the 
roots to go in time if the salts are too high (too much nutrients). 
There is no chance to leach or make changes when you see symptoms. I 
suggest digging the hole and mix in compost to the receiving soil until 
the EC meter give the appropriate reading. Can be done on site. Then 
back fill the hole with plant in it. This will give the plant a good 
start and once the nutrients are used up the healthy roots will look for 
more in other places.


Frank




Young, Michele wrote:

>Greetings to all,
>
>In doing a presentation to our local urban forestry group, I was told that
>they never recommend putting compost into the backfill hole when planting a
>tree. This is because they feel that roots will not search outside of the
>root ball area if there is "food" placed there.  I talked to them about
>trenching and augering as a way of putting food into other zones, but they
>were steadfast about no compost in the planting hole.
>
>All of the planting guides that I have seen and used from the soil
>perspective show a compost soil-blend at planting.  I would love to hear
>from professionals out there about their experiences, and advice.  Please
>check with your urban forestry folks to see if no compost is a common
>recommendation, or just a local practice here in San Jose.
>
>Conflicted in San Jose
>
>Turn Over an Old Leaf - Compost!
> 
>Michele Young  
>City of San Jose
>Environmental Services Department
>200 E. Santa Clara St.   Tower 10
>San Jose,  CA  95113
>Phone: (408) 975-2519
>FAX: (408) 292-6212 
>
>_______________________________________
>Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show
>January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX.
>The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of the composting and organics recycling industry.
>Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website: www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931 
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>_______________________________________
>This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
>(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>
>Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
>
>Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>
>Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
>For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
>
>
>  
>

-- 
Frank Shields
Soil Control Lab
42 Hangar way
Watsonville, CA  95076
(831) 724-5422 tel
(831) 724-3188 fax
frank at compostlab.com
www.compostlab.com