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Tree planting methods
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Posted by dux4life ZONE 6 (My Page) on Sat, Jan 30, 10 at 22:18
| Hello, This is my first post here as I am new here. I am planning on planting a few fruit trees to replace the ones I lost last year. My brother is encouraging me to try a technique that he heard about in the past. It involved placing a flower pot upside down in the hole and then setting he tree on top and then backfilling the hole. The theory I believe was that as the atmospheric pressure changed it would draw o2 into the root area better. I remember reading about it in the past but can't seem to locate it anywhere on the net. Is this just some kind of gimmick or a valid theory?? Thanks |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Tree planting methods
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- Posted by brandon7 6b (like 7b now) TN (My Page) on
Sat, Jan 30, 10 at 23:53
| Your brother is either kidding or just doesn't have the slightest clue. Buy him a text on soil drainage and aeration for Christmas next year. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Planting a Tree or Shrub
RE: Tree planting methods
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| I have heard of building mounds in the center of a planting hole when planting in clay. The purpose is to loosen the soil around the root ball which makes it easier for the roots to drop and spread into the clay, while maintaining the proper grade for the tree by placing it on a firm mound. Theoretically, it also helps prevent water from puddling around the root ball within the loosened dirt, and cutting off oxygen. Similarly, you could dig an extra wide hole and then dig deeper around the sides of the hole, essentially leaving a mound for the root ball to sit on. Placing a tree on a pot in the hole seems like a short cut (or trick), and carries the risk that the tree will compress the pot, sink and cause the fruit tree graft to slip below grade. But someone else might have more insight as to why this might work? |
RE: Tree planting methods
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I presume your brother is taking the flower pot out before the tree goes in the planting hole! OR maybe that was the original intention. You can use a flower pot to help judge how deep the planting hole needs to be dug and to help with building a flat mound in the planting hole. You can fill the pot with soil and then turn it up side down in the planting hole to leave flat mound there.
But you don't want to actually leave the pot in there. You want to avoid any air pockets in the planting hole. |
RE: Tree planting methods
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| Nah, he wasn't kidding. I do recall someone on the internet trying to promote something. It invomved setting the pot upside down and creating an air space under the tree. As the atmospheric pressure would change above ground it was supposed to be able to draw more oxygen to the roots to exchange. I am just going to plant them by the instructions on the pot. I have had very good luck that way. We also go back and forth on the HI BRIX ideas. I think having the right minerals in the soil helps but not to the point it will solve EVERY problem from disease to insects...He believes it will. I forgot who's theory he is following. I enjoy my garden more when it is simple and fun. He has way to many equations going on that it takes the enjoyment out of it. |
RE: Tree planting methods
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- Posted by brandon7 6b (like 7b now) TN (My Page) on
Mon, Feb 1, 10 at 17:29
| Placing an empty pot below the rootball would actually inhibit drainage and therefore decrease soil gas/oxygen exchange. That's why I suggested a text on soil drainage and aeration as a Christmas gift. You might skim through the instructions in the link I provided above. I think you will find those instructions among the best available (at least in the form of a simple list). |
RE: Tree planting methods. Thanks
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| I forgot to say thanks for the replies. |
RE: Tree planting methods
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| Ran across this today purely by accident, but it looks to be very helpful for planting and years to come. I have only skimmed through it, but it looks pretty useful |
Here is a link that might be useful: Tree Owners Manual
RE: Tree planting methods
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- Posted by whaas 5a Milwaukee (My Page) on
Mon, Feb 1, 10 at 22:12
| Great Link...good, accurate, straight forward info. |
RE: Tree planting methods
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| Thanks arktrees! That's a terrific manual, and I like that they clearly explain what laws to check, utilities to call, etc....I had been wondering about that. |
RE: Tree planting methods
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| Glad you find it useful. I was looking at some stuff on Sugar Maples when it turned up linked from a MSU Extension page. Hope it serves you all well. Arktrees |
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