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Friend of mine had a tree that died. When he dug the tree out he found it water logged, no drainage below about a foot. Thing is he has planted smaller trees which are doing fine but he wonders if they will eventually grow into the water.Or do the roots grow outward. He also has smaller plans doing ok as they would not have to be planted that deep

Should the trees be moved, one is a eucalyptus, can that be moved?

[Greengage]

Roots of trees grow outwards rather than down often spreading as wide or wider than the tree canopy, Could the wet summer be the problem or has he a drainage problem

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[Greengage]

Well if they are doing ok whats the problem, What type are they, are they standing in water if so the will eventually die therefore they drainage should be improved or move the trees to a different location bset done from end of October beginning of march if they are not to long established. Thats the short answer, longer version available on request and when I have more time, cheers.

[kindredspirit]

I would imagine Eucalyptus likes dry and would eventually suffer.

You can move the tree when it's dormant, at a frost free time, late Autumn to early Spring.

Alder trees like to grow with wet feet, if he's looking for replacements in the waterlogged position.

[medieval knievel]

alder likes waterlogging, but flowing rather than stagnant water, iirc.

what's the site like around your friend's place? is it waterlogged due to being low lying, the local soil being heavy clay, or possibly due to compaction?

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[James Kilkelly]

I would predict root rot on the new trees once the autumn/winter rains cause the water level to rise.
This is probably what happened to the last batch.
I'd move them and look at sorting out the compaction.
One option is to plant them on a mound if waterlodging is a problem.