By elliott on Monday, January 14, 2002 - 04:54 pm: |
I recently had my soil analyzed after noticing my post oak trees not looking too good. These are very mature trees in places where there is minimal foot/animal traffic. I assumed a soil problem. My analysis came back saying all nutrients looked good – except two (Phosphorous is TOO HIGH and NITROGEN is LOW) I know that excessive phosphates can tie up nutrients in the soil. My bet (and the TAM lab's) was that the soil had been over fertilized with a commercial fertilizer at some point before we bought the place two years ago. My questions is, what can I do. Is there atleast something I can add for humus and nitrogen without also adding excessive phosphates?
AND for my garden area, can I add manure (this is old and DRY cow manure) or would this contain excessive phosphorous as I've heard fresh manure contains?
By David on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 08:48 pm: |
Hi Elliott,Very good questions, and I am sorry to hear that your mature Oak trees are showing problems. I for one do not believe that it is a soil nutrient problem. I think that who ever built the house abusded the trees root systems and it is just know showing up...The back fill dirt that was brought in to level the yard might be to deep over the Oak trees root system and around the trunk of the tree. The tree has to breathe in some air and it does so around the trunk. I would look an make sure soil is not piled to high around the trunk. In other words you should be able to dig down, a inch or two and hit some roots....If not keep digging till you do hit some to see how deep any back fill soil might be........
I think that the dry and old cow maure is ready to use as/is right now. Any high levels of phosphorous or anything else has all ready leached out as the manure aged. So you should be good to go....Good Luck and I hope this helps you out..