Some of you might find the attached link interesting. It explains which trees/shrubs/plants have developed chemical defenses against other plants. It explains why herbicides or mulch produce better trees.

http://www.sustland.umn.edu/implement/trees_turf.html

Dan O.

Dan - I' m thinking about transplanting about 20 locust trees on to a 2 acres section of Real poor soil - 4.5 ph. I read they fix N, and thought they might do better than apples, or maple or Oaks (I want a hardwood).

We have NO locust now on the property - I' m a little worried about introducing a pest - What do you think?

Thanks
Sean

I' ve seen them interplanted with Black Walnuts. They keep the BWs straight and give them nitrogen for quicker growth. Then the BWs grow tall enough to shade them out and they die off. The same might work for Oaks.

Dan O.