On 2/5/05 12:27, in article ,
"r.bartlett" wrote:

Hi guy's

We had some lliandi type trees removed -about six in all- which we then had
the stumps ground out. this churned up the ground and left us with a huge
load of chips+earth. we had to shift it as it was where the new patio was
going to go.

As we were having some new boarders dug we burried this stuff -about 10
inches down- along the length at a thickness of roughly 4 inches then had
the new earth put on top to get to the finished height.

Now we are wondering if the soil ph will be affected or if the plants will
be poisoned in some way?.

Rotting bark does indeed take nitrogen out of the soil and as it continues
to rot then puts it back again, but that might take a year! You will very
possibly see your plants go yellow so will need to correct the damage with a
high nitrogen feed. My husband's opinion is that leylandii are more toxic
than many. But what you've just described is why people are advised only to
use well-rotted bark for mulching borders.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)