On Tue, 04 Oct 2005 09:23:45 GMT, "Lil' Dave"
wrote:


Thanks.

Planted sapling at depth of soil where the tree had originally met the soil
line. Hole diameter was about 2 feet. The soil is typical S. Texas hill
country. Very, very thin topsoil/caliche/rocky caliche/rocky soil in the
order in depth. All this nasty stuff would be mixed up if placed back in
the hole. Thus the reason for the Scott tree soil at tap root depth.

There's some 40 ft pecan trees on some bottom land just over a 1/2 mile from
my house. They're growing quite well.

Which just goes to show they can tolerate the "nasty stuff." The
problem with amended backfill is that it adds another transition
between soil types. Roots have a difficult time making the jump from
the original root ball to the native soil, especially when the soil
types absorb water at vastly different rates. Sometimes problems like
girdling roots develop. When you add a second transition, you make it
a little tougher. Best to let the trees get into their new home as
soon as possible.

And "tap root" is not really relevant. The important roots of most
trees are the ones that spread outward in a flat mat. They typically
occupy the top 18 inches or so where they can get air and water from
the surface. In your soil, they probably have to make do with the top
12 inches or less. Tap roots are a function of seed development and
generally disappear or become unimportant by the time a tree is sold
and transplanted.

Still, I think your tree will do fine, as long as you mulch the root
zone and offer supplemental water during drought periods. Good luck.

k