It's a pretty good rule to never use manure in the planting hole. You might get away with small amounts of very aged manure but you risk burning the roots if it's still decomposing and some types of trees can't handle it at all. Compost, peat mossor top soil mixed in equal parts with original clay top soil works pretty good. The larger the area of top soil worked in the better with clay. If it'ssubsoil clay you're original planting hole becomes almost a pot that the trees have trouble putting roots into. It's also important to dig deeper than the tree to have an area for water to drain away. You don't want the tree sitting in a hole filled with water.Another helpful practice is to mulch around the tree with wood chips (4-6" deep and 3 foot diameter. This keeps the soil moist and cuts down on weed competition.

Discing the soil helps work the organic matter in quickly. I've found that mowing and leaving the cuttings will work well over time but takes longer. If you want to use manure you can top dress it at least 6" away from the tree trunks in the spring after the first year (never in the fall). Chicken manure is about the worst you can use (if you use too much at the wrong time).


Dan O.