| No benefit was derived from the use of soil amendments either
with a good clay loam soil or very poor silt loam subsoil. Pine bark as
a soil amendment was detrimental to the growth of young silver maple trees
in both soils unless fertilizer was applied to offset the nitrogen tie-up
by microorganisms. Trees growing in soils amended with peat moss developed
a more fibrous root system than all other treatments. However, the fact
that the roots did not develop into the surrounding soil, as was the case
with all other treatments, may mean the trees would be more susceptible
to drought. Young trees should be fertilized, at least at a moderate rate,
during their first growing season in the landscape. If organic soil amendments
are used in the planting hole, it is even more important to fertilize young
trees. These data do not support the use of soil amendments in the establishment
and growth of newly planted trees. |