Todays little project... Keep 'em off the lawn!

[Xerxses]

Quite correct sloth... The main reason for my little project is to remedy (hopefully) the compaction caused by pedestrians. The mulch consists of semidry lime branches in full leaf. I want to add as much food for the worms without providing too much "green"material. (Basically, some trial and error...) Last year I spotted some massive Pholiotas around the base and I want to provide better growing conditions for the tree. Later I will add a low fence so the oakleaf can stay on site and smother future weed and provide the fungalweb with the right food.

 

I have done several trees before but only small ones that are sort of newly planted (4-5 years) and this treatment has been very beneficial for soilstructure. Worms were plenty and the trees put on some substantial growth after 2 years.

[Xerxses]

Thanks David! How is your patch coming along? Have you recorded the number of species you have found under that mulched oak (and under the fruit tree, pear was it?)?

 

Sorry meant Beech, the one close to the gate.

[Lee Winger]

Nice job , but I can't help but say, rotovaters and tree roots are nearly always a recipe for disaster..

[Xerxses]

Ah okay of course it rots down.feel like a tw@t now. i was thinkin of air not reaching the roots.

 

Also by mulching the area around the tree, i know its good for the tree but why specificaly. cheers

 

Jake:thumbup1:

 

Ever lifted a cardboardbox that has been lying on a lawn? The soil is really porous and full of various insects, worms, centipedes, wood-louse etc...

 

I'm not too worried about air as there is no cardboard close to the trunk and the mulched area doesen't extend all the way to the dripline. In a year or two I will come back and do the rest of the tree all the way to the dripline and hopefully add oakchip instead.

[Xerxses]

Nice job , but I can't help but say, rotovaters and tree roots are nearly always a recipe for disaster..

 

Good to point out Lee!

 

I wouldn't mind some of your fancy equipment for losening up the soil but.... no money for it yet. So this method was the one that was at hand. If I can show how beneficial this is they might let me buy an Airspade to do other trees...

 

I handexcavated close to the trunk and dug around the tree looking for roots the day before when I gas flamed the turf to kill it off. My original plan was to add cardboard straight to the turf and let the worms do their trick....

 

The soil is really sandy so the roots go deep. Since i didn't even find fineroots close to the surface i decided to breakup the top 10 cm, which means there will be plenty of air between soil and cardboard as the surface is uneven.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Xerxses

[David Humphries]

Sorry meant Beech, the one close to the gate.

 

Not been a good season for recording Mycos (so far)

The beech has really only thrown up sapros like the fluted birds nest I posted a few weeks back.

 

The pear is looking pretty good but not holding as much fruit this year compared to the last few years. (which I think may be a good thing) produced ascimilates going to foliage & root development instead of flowers/fruit perhaps.

 

 

 

 

 

I hear a few rumours of a Swedish invasion coming to town, are you onboard Tobias ?

 

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[Xerxses]

Not been a good season for recording Mycos (so far)

The beech has really only thrown up sapros like the fluted birds nest I posted a few weeks back.

 

The pear is looking pretty good but not holding as much fruit this year compared to the last few years. (which I think may be a good thing) produced ascimilates going to foliage & root development instead of flowers/fruit perhaps.

 

 

 

 

 

I hear a few rumours of a Swedish invasion coming to town, are you onboard Tobias ?

 

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.

 

For personal reasons I had to take a huge step back from the Swedish Arbscene for a while... just got fed up with everything.... Thats why I havent been on here for a good while, I needed some perspective and find the joy again. I have been out of touch with things so dont really know of any real plans...

[David Humphries]

For personal reasons I had to take a huge step back from the Swedish Arbscene for a while... just got fed up with everything.... Thats why I havent been on here for a good while, I needed some perspective and find the joy again. I have been out of touch with things so dont really know of any real plans...

 

 

No worries mate, you know you are always welcome for a return trip to the arboreal delights of north London

 

Hope things are improving & you're moving back toward the lighter side

 

 

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[Jake Andrews]

Thanks for the info guys,been really helpful.

 

Was the rotivator to break up the compacted soil or to remove the top layer of turf.if so couldnt a spade just do this to reduce the risk of severed roots.

 

Jake:thumbup1:

[Albedo]

If you are aiming to attract worms I may have a suggestion for you to experiment with in your mulch.

 

I was once a 'worm farmer' in Oz, where we grew them on a large scale for use in grey water filters.

 

I still have the compost 'recipe' and pics of how we did it on the lap top, so can look it up later once I've done a few other wee jobs.