digging holes for trees

by jim deal
(bedford,ohio)

water does'nt drain from hole I dug for some fruit trees.The ground is mostly clay.I need to know what soil and other material to put in the hole to fix the excess water , before I put the trees in.


Doug says you don't add a thing to holes for tree and shrub planting (other than a hand-full of compost if you have it - or the compost can go around the top of the plant after backfilling) But modern research has shown that modifying planting holes is bad for long-term tree and shrub growth.

And yeah, no matter what the ads tell you, the packaging or those who don't know any better. Dig a much bigger hole than the roots - but don't add anything to that hole when you plant. It's enough to aerate the soil.

In this case, it sounds as if you're planting on a blue-clay swamp. And your success will be determined by the plant you use - not how you plant it.