The Influence of Urban Soil Condition and Modification on Transplanted Tree Performance (03-DG-11020000-068)

This project consisted of studying the best way of planting trees in new suburban developments.

The key to landscape success is matching the species to the site and properly planting the tree for these conditions. Unfortunately in many new suburban developments it is difficult to find trees adapted to the highly disturbed soils created by the construction. Many suburban developments have had much of the topsoil removed and the remaining compacted and mixed with the subsoil during the final grading. This creates a planting soil that is both poorly drained and alkaline, a combination not conducive to transplanted tree success. In addition this soil is often left in a highly compacted state. While adding more topsoil to the site may be the best solution it is often impractical, as any alternation to the final grade would result in water moving towards, rather than away, from the home. This project studied planting modification of disturbed soils and found that regardless of the disturbance, compacted, graded or both, planting trees on a slight berm yielded excellent establishment and growth. The recommended berm height on a typical #15 container tree need be only 6 inches and extend out about 3 times the diameter of the container and approximately the same diameter as the planting hole.

The objective of this project was to increase our understanding of the influences urban soils can have on the performance of transplanted tree species representing differing tolerance to grading and compaction and how design modifications can be applied to reduce the impact of these influences. We can improve the survival and health of newly planted trees — the future urban forest - by understanding the soil stresses, and modifications that can mitigate their influences.

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