I am interested in using one of these trees (?) in our landscaping. We just
finished building the house, so we will be starting from scratch. We would
like to use this spruce as a specimen plant near the front of the house.
The area where this planting bed will be located is 100% sand right now. We
are going to have several loads of topsoil delivered and placed into the
planting bed. We are unsure how deep we need to make the beds. Is 12" of
topsoil over top of the sand enough? or does the topsoil need to be deeper?
how deep? These beds will are not intended to be raised, but flush with
the surrounding lawn. Therefore we have to dig out the sand and fill with
topsoil. When the house foundation was being installed, we found it
necessary to raise the grade about 6' around the house due to the high water
table in the area. This 6' of foundation backfill is all sand. That is why
we have to fill in planting beds with topsoil. But how much we don't know.
There will also be a foundation planter all the way around the house that
also need to be filled with topsoil before we can plant any shrubs or
perrenials. How much soil do we need in this bed? Again, is 8" to 12" OK
here? this bed will be mostly shrubs such as boxwoods, yews, dwarf
conifers, perrenials and a few annuals.

Can trees grow succesfully in 100% sandy soils, with just a few inches of
topsoil, as long as there is adequate moisture? Due to the high water table
in the area, moisture shouldn't be a problem.

any info is greatly appreciated,