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Re: Size of hole for a fruit tree? Small or large?




In article <MOD$971004.19895@rec.gardens.ecosystems>, "dhs" <dhs@mit.edu> wrote:

> I have already asked this question on alt.agriculture.fruit and have
> received strongly conflicting advice. I thought I would ask this group the
> same question: what size hole do I need to dig for a fruit tree? 
> 
> The two schools are: First: very small, just the size of the root ball, and
> "make them work for it".  School number two says: very large with lots of
> amendments. The  proponents of school number two say that those in favor of
> small holes use lots of agressive fertilizers and that is why the holes may
> be made small. What is the opinion of the eco-sensitive folks? A large hole
> seems right to me. 

The most common mistake when planting a tree is digging the hole too deep:
it should be no deeper than the rootball, so that the tree stays at the
same level relative to the ground. If the hole is too deep, then usually
the person planting the tree tends to throw in more soil, which burries the
original ground level portion of the trunk. If that does not happen, the
tree sinks as the soil compacts, and over time, the original base is
burried: same result.

Most arborists recommend that you dig wide, but not deep. Most commonly,
2-3 times the diameter of the root ball is recommended. This gives the
roots an area of loose soil to expand into easily, and also gives you a
chance to add soil ammendments such as compost to the area around the
rootball.

In part, doing it this way makes up for the fact that (for most of us), we
are planting trees in soils that have been compacted, and which have
perhaps had a lot of organic material removed from them. It is a common
practice for builders to strip out the topsoil, and sell it to a soil
dealer. This leaves the eventual buyer getting thin, poor soil. (And
needing to go to a soil dealer to buy someone else's topsoil...)

OTOH, I've seen trees do fine when planted in minimal holes. Usually, this
was in soils without the problems indicated above.
Regards,
Bill

-- 
Bill Morgan
wtmorgan@pilot.msu.edu
Center for Room Temperature Confusion

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