[USCC] Compost and tree planting

[Heide Hermary]

Those planting recommendations are endorsed by the International  
Society of Arboriculture.
http://www.isa-arbor.com/home.aspx

Tree roots extend far beyond the perimeter of the crown, sometimes as  
wide as the tree is high. If the tree is not adapted to the local  
soil conditions no amount of compost in the planting hole will help.  
Better to use the compost as mulch, and then never remove the fallen  
leaves, as they will naturally mulch / decay in place.

Nothing at all is gained by stressing the tree with chemical  
fertilizers or unfinished compost high in salts and other potential  
toxins.

Cheers, Heide

Heide Hermary
Gaia College
http://www.gaiacollege.ca



On 28-Mar-08, at 8:36 AM, Donald Lewis wrote:

> I remember reading a bulletin from one of the extension services  
> that had references to studies showing that if the soil in the hole  
> is appreciably better than the surrounding soil the plant doesn't  
> send roots out beyond the original hole. The original work may have  
> been done @ Cornell
>
> Don Lewis
>
>>>> "Young, Michele" <Michele.Young at sanjoseca.gov> 3/27/2008 4:06 PM  
>>>> >>>
> 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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>
> _______________________________________
> 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