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Sacha[_1_] · 09-08-2006, 02:06 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 9/8/06 13:20, in article , "Rhiannon S"
wrote:

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
Okay, I extracted more info from Ray this morning. ;-) Apparently the
slabs were real paving slab size - around 3' x 2.5' and they were buried a
yard below the apple trees' roots. I asked him how he had learned about
this (because I'd forgotten) and he said that 'old Tom' who used to work
for
Ray's family nursery in Essex had told him. Old Tom had actually done the
digging and laying of the slabs for dozens of apple trees in his time.

I'm sorry, I'm going to be dense and ask, why? Why does one bury paving
slabs under apple trees? Is it to give the roots something to curl around
and act as ballast or anything like theat?

No it forced the trees' roots to go wider before going downwards so giving a
broader 'grip' on the soil in the end and presumably, a bigger area from
which to draw nourishment and water. If anyone has seen the grape vine at
Hampton Court you'll see what a very large area is kept free of all other
planting so as to allow the Great Vine to get whatever nourishing goodies
are going. Like all old grape vines, its roots are outside the greenhouse
while its leafing and fruiting bits are inside. So I suppose it's possible
that was also part of the thinking behind the apple tree/paving slab
combination.
And you're not being dense at all! I'd certainly never heard of it and as
you can see, it doesn't seem as if anyone here has, either.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/