Large shade trees in downtown settings rarely, if ever, have sufficient soil volume to grow to their full potential size. Many models for predicting the volume of soil required have been proposed. In our region, a useful rule of thumb is that each inch of dbh (trunk diameter at 4.5’ above the ground) requires about 20-25 ft2 of open ground with uncompacted soil. However, you will find that this amount of soil is rarely provided. Trees do survive, but do not reach their expected size.

A general answer to your question would be a soil that is moist and well drained. However, that only tells part of the story. You see, there are many types (species) of conifer. If you look, you can find a type of conifer for every type of soil. Some conifers grow only on sandy, well drained soils. Some only on soils that are wet most of the year. It's also important to find a soil with the right pH balance (pH tells whether the soil is acidic or basic). See similar questions...

None. Orchids do not grow in soil. In the wild, most orchids are found high above the jungle floor, in the tree canopy. For best results, orchids should be grown either in New Zealand sphagnum moss, fine orchid bark mix or medium orchid bark Mix. Orchids must be grown in pots with good drainage. Soil is bad for the plants because it cuts off air circulation at the roots and blocks the drainage of water. See similar questions...

The answer is NO; trees with restricted root access are unsuitable also paved areas, driveways or waterways etc. Chemical applications near creeks and rivers can leach into the Aquatic environment or Ground water with serious outcomes, as they are highly toxic to invertebrates. See similar questions...

Soil compaction occurs when vehicles, heavy equipment, large metal bins, or construction materials are placed or travel anywhere under the crown of a tree. As a result of compaction, air pockets in the ground are eliminated and this reduces the available amount of air and water that trees need to stay healthy. See similar questions...

Usable soil volume describes the amount of soil available for tree root growth. For example, if a tree is planted on a severely compacted clay soil, the usable soil volume will be only the soil disturbed during installation or a few inches on the surface loosened by mulching—perhaps less than 2 or 3 cu. ft. Tree roots grow primarily in the top 2 feet of soil, and most grow very near the surface. See similar questions...

There are several available soil volume models (listed below). As an example, let’s look at a 24” dbh Zelkova serrata with a crown spread of 50’. Using the Lindsey & Bassuk model, this tree would require about 2200 cu. ft. in a typical soil in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Urban et al. model would predict about 1500 cu. ft. would be required. The Natural Forest method based on upland hardwoods in the Eastern U.S., would predict that between 2700 and 4100 cu. ft. See similar questions...

The Arbor Day Foundation does not condone the practice of tree topping. Topping creates many problems for trees including insect infestations and diseases, weak limbs, shock and starvation to the tree and poor aesthetic qualities. For more information on tree topping, please contact Member Services for Tree City USA Bulletin #8 "Don't Top Trees". This bulletin is available for $3. See similar questions...

That depends. Your trees will need watering if they are newly planted or your area is suffering from drought conditions. If you are receiving normal or close to normal rainfall for your area, then you should not have to water your established trees. Exception: If you live in a dry or desert area, or have sandy soil, and someone has planted a tree not suited for these conditions, then the trees may require more water than even normal rainfall can provide to survive. See similar questions...

If you have clay soil, you can add soil conditioner, peat to the soil to loosen and improve growing conditions. See similar questions...

This will vary depending on sugar content and size of the trees. Let’s say you have trees that average 2% sugar content and you have trees large enough for two taps per tree. Using the "Rule of 86," you know that the number of gallons of sap you need to produce one gallon of syrup is equal to 86 divided by the percent sugar of 43 gallons of sap. See similar questions...

Yes, but they disintegrate slowly. If you imagine the wonderful spongy feeling of walking on the soil in a forest, you'll have the sense of the layers of decomposing needles that pile up as what's called "forest duff." A pine cone will take years, perhaps decades, to break down completely if it's just lying out in the air without much soil contact. It's acceptable to use accumulated pine needles and other fallen plant matter as mulch around trees and shrubs. See similar questions...

Rent a dump truck and a back hoe and learn how to use a jack hammer if you happen to live on a caliche bed. Or maybe you'll be removing lots of rock from the soil just to make room for your plant's roots. If you're planting native plants maybe all you need is to dig a hole large enough to hold the root ball. If you're planting on a bed of caliche you may have to knock a hole through it to make sure to provide good drainage of shrub or tree. See similar questions...

Most orchids require none. As most orchids are epiphytes, they can be grown in tree bark, crumbled charcoal, pebbles, or on tree fern or cork slabs. In nature, orchids can be divided into four types according to growing conditions. Epiphytes, or air plants, grown on trees. The rock growers, or lithophytes, cling to the surface of rocks. Saprophytes are those which grow in mulch, often on the forest floor. See similar questions...

Pond soil is usually recommended, but we planted the busy lizzies direct from the plastic trays in which they were purchased. See similar questions...

Please visit USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service web site at http://soils.usda.gov for more information about soils. See similar questions...

In most areas, the grasses, shrubs, and residual trees should provide enough ground cover to prevent accelerated soil erosion. Where there are large areas of bare ground, seeding with native grasses (blue grama, sideoats grama, sand dropseed) will most effectively prevent excess erosion. These should be seeded in June. Irrigation during the first growing season will increase success of grass seeding. See similar questions...

My White Pine trees have lots of inner needles that have just recently turned yellow. Are the trees dying? (September question) See similar questions...