| Balled-and-burlapped red maple (Acer rubrum) trees
were planted in holes backfilled with 1) native soil, 2) 50:50 (v/v) aged
pine bark: soil, 3) 50:50 (v/v) Mr. Natural Concentrated Landscape Media
(CLM): soil, and 4) 100% CLM. The CLM is an improved, proprietary soil amendment
composed of top soil, pine humus, granite sand, crushed granite, expanded
shale, and composted poultry litter. The CLM: soil treatment increased fibrous
root growth within the planting hole after five months but did not increase
shoot growth. Aged pine bark induced nitrogen deficiency symptoms and reduced
shoot growth during the first year. Shoot growth of the treatments did not
differ after two years. The data support use of native soil in backfilling
planting holes. |