Nice tips. I'll try and cross my fingers. I usually aerate, fertilize and lime in the fall. frankly never thought about adding gypsum and don't usually do much around those trees as they've just taken care of themselves. they're surrounded by hosta, ferns, azaleas, lacecap hydrangeas and elephant ears which have all taken care of themselves...........

Only the hosta, ferns and elephant bounced back unaffected. Didn't really pay close attention to the trees until recently.

thanks for the advice.



On Sunday, June 15, 2014 11:02:19 PM UTC-4, David E. Ross wrote:
You need to apply just enough gypsum to coat the soil, about 1/8 to 1/4

inch thick.



In my garden, I hand broadcast gypsum. I treat my entire garden --

front and back - every other year, using about 250 pounds. (50 pound

sack costs about $9.) In certain areas -- especially around my

camellias and azaleas -- I use it every year. I use it because my soil

is heavy clay, and gypsum causes the clay to become less pasty and more

granular. That is, it improves the drainage and prevents the clay from

becoming soggy. I generally apply it in October or November,

anticipating the rainy season (November through March) to rinse it into

the soil. I also dig it into the soil when planting. Counting the

footprint of my house, I have slightly less than 0.2 acre (a standard

tract lot).



DO NOT buy gypsum at Home Depot. Their gypsum is only 70% and contains

pebbles and other non-gypsum trash. It's garbage!! I generally look

for a brand called Bumper Crop, which is 90% gypsum. Many nurseries in

my area carry it.





On 6/15/2014 5:24 PM, ElCuartoMago wrote:

They've been growing in a very wet area for the nearly 20 years.....

not a "swamp" but it is a flood zone.



I'll try bringing in some gypsum but I have to be careful. It's a

very wet and you can't really bring equipment in. it would have to be

hand trucked (wheelbarrow). is there a suggested cubic yardage/square

yard that I should be targeting?



I've already moved a great deal of the debris (mostly like a river

river sand and many many rocks). the surface roots makes sense as the

above (i'm guessing) might have have suffocated the surface roots in

that area.







--

David E. Ross

Climate: California Mediterranean, see

http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html

Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary