[USCC] Compost and tree planting

Fri Mar 28 19:00:26 CDT 2008

Michelle,
I agree with Frank on this. You can screw up if you use poor quality
compost, but the benefits probably outway the risks. I dug into the research
on this application when I wrote 'The Field Guide to Compost Use' - and the
results of the research vary - both bad and good. However, success 'in the
field' has been great. I would say, however, that I would rather see a few
trees planting in a vicinity, so that entire area can be amended, rather
than a planting a bunch of individual trees.
Hope this helps,
Ron

Ron Alexander
R. Alexander Associates, Inc.
1212 Eastham Drive
Apex, NC 27502
USA
919-367-8350
919-367-8351 fax
alexassoc at earthlink.net
www.alexassoc.net

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com]On Behalf Of frank
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 1:59 PM
To: Compost Discussion List
Subject: Re: [USCC] Compost and tree planting

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
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
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>_______________________________________
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>(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>
>Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation,
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>
>Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website
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>
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--
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

_______________________________________
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