[John H]

I planted a few trees a couple of years ago. The time I planted them the ground was rock hard, I was at my best to dig a hole big enough to plant them. So I was only able to give a bare shake of compost in the hole.

Only one of the trees died, but the rest of them don't seem to be thriving. Is there any sort of feed I could give them to try and give them a boost.

[medieval knievel]

had there been building work going on on or near the ground they're planted in?
sounds like the soil could be suffering from heavy compaction. the roots might not be able to gain any purchase.

[John H]

There was not much traffic where they are planted, but there was a ditch taken out and the ground level was lowered by about two foot. So the soil might not be the best.

[John H]

I know the soil probably isn't the best but is there anything I could do?

Or a feed I could give them?

Any help would be appreciated

[dinahdabble]

I've heard bonemeal, fishmeal, hoof and horn type stuff is good if you break up the surface a bit - being carfull not to damage the tree roots. Myself I feed trees with a layer of mulch comprised of well rotted kitchen vegitable pellings, leaf mould and grass clippings. I let it get wet and soggy in a bucket before I apply it so that it starts to wash down quickly. It seems to find it's way down and vanish into the soil over about a year without any effort or disturbance on my part, other than pulling out any weeds that appear.
Perhaps if you did both? Put bone meal in for a quick boost and then continue with the mulching over the top for subsiquent seasons? If that seems wrong to anyone, please correct me, as I've never used animal derivatives myself, being vegitarian.

[dinahdabble]

Oh, and I recall reading somewhere that you can earth arround or even cut through tree roots to make a trench for adding better soil, compost or dranage. I'm not sure how far from the trees it has to be or how deep. Maybe someone else on this website will know?

[michael brenock]

you do not say what type of trees you are dealing with. The physical condition of the soil seems to be the problem. you need to break up the soil and break any barriers that prevent roots going down. Fertility may not be a factor but drainage and root penetration could be a problem. if you just dug a small hole for the root ball then this may already be full with roots and they have nowhere to go. if the trees are deciduous (sheds and renews leaves annually), dig them up now and prepare the ground better by digging deeper 45 cms (18 ins)
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[medieval knievel]

i understand that gypsum can help break up soil, but i assume you need to dig it in rather than spread it on top.