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Best way to plant fruit trees in clay soil #166988

Asked February 15, 2014, 2:15 PM EST

Hi there!

What is the best way to plant fruit trees, given clay soil?  Should we:

1. Import soil?  If so, how large do the holes have to be to avoid pooling?
2. Build raised beds/mounds?
3. Plant directly in the soil, but ammend it?

Tuolumne County California

Expert Response

First, be sure you select tree varieties that are suitable to your growing conditions. Your local extension office should be able to help you decide which may do best. Find contact information at http://ucanr.edu/County_Offices/

Clay soil includes a range from silty clay to something akin to concrete. I will assume yours is tillable to the extent you can get a spade into it to dig holes. The proper way to plant a tree is to dig a hole so that the top of the root ball sits about 3 inches higher in the hole than it did in the pot. Do not till the bottom of the hole since this can cause settling and sinking later. Dig the hole about 2 to 3 times as wide as the root ball, making sure the sides of the hole are rough, not smooth.  

Fill the hole half full of water and observe how long it takes to drain out. If it does not drain within 2 hours, you have a serious drainage problem. This may not be the right place to plant a tree. Consult a certified arborist or speak with your extension agent before planting

If the water drains away in that time, procede with planting. Gently loosen the root ball so there are no roots winding around it. You can mix a handful of well-rotted compost in with the original soil, but no more. Fill the hole with the original soil, tamping gently and making sure the surface slopes slightly away from the tree trunk. Water the soil slowly but deeply, being careful not to allow the water to pool or compact the soil. A drip hose used overnight is best. 

Now you can add an inch or so of compost on the top of the soil. Extend it out beyond the size of the hole, but keep it away from the tree trunk. Finally, cover the entire root area with 2 to 3 inches of mulch to maintain soil moisture, again keeping it several inches away from the trunk. 

If there is no rain, water the tree slowly and deeply once or twice a week, again using a drip hose or slow sprinkler over several hours.

Clay can be full of nutrients, but it lacks air spaces which allow roots to thrive. Apply an inch of mature compost to the entire root area once or twice a year, extending it out beyond the drip line of the tree. Over a few years. the clay should improve in texture, and your tree will probably thank you.

Cheers,
Best Regards, Replied February 22, 2014, 4:11 PM EST

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