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Re: Size of hole for a fruit tree? Small or large?
dhs <dhs@mit.edu> wrote in article
<MOD$971004.19895@rec.gardens.ecosystems>...
>
> 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.
>
> thanks Lisa
The latest and I think best advice is to not add amendments, and to dig a
square hole large enough to spread out the roots. Filling the hole with
just the same soil that came out of it means that there is not a "dividing
line" between the dug hole and the surrounding soil, which encourages the
new roots to forage out farther, faster. I don't have the reference on
this, but at the time I read the article I noted that it was based on some
excellent test versus control plantings in various soil types. When you
get advice that says to put amendments in the hole, it is almost always
from an old-time grower who has never tried a lot of trees both ways.
References: