[USCC] Compost and tree planting

[Scott Reil]

Hi Michele,

Kind of conflicted on this myself, but the current thinking in arboriculture
is by adding any amendment to the soil being back-filled into a hole, you
are creating another soil interface (differential between soils in the hole
and in the surrounding profile have been shown to create a subsidence or
"reluctance" of roots to leave the soil they have been in. This can lead to
circling roots and eventual girdling, not to mention as compost breaks down,
it causes the root ball to sink in the hole, leaving the tree below grade.
More detriments than benefits; that's why these guys are adamant about no
amendments...

I think you can have the best of both worlds by backfilling with the soil
that came out of the hole and watering in with compost tea. This will give
the biological benefits of compost to all the surrounding soils; by mulching
with compost you could start to introduce humus without creating an
additional soil interface. One man's solution, anyway...


Scott Reil
Safe Lawns and Landscapes LLC
70 Highland Park Drive
Bloomfield CT 06002
860-243-8733


-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Young, Michele
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:06 PM
To: 'Compost Discussion List'
Subject: [USCC] Compost and tree planting

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 

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