The tree holes revisited after a week of rains

I had four tree holes dug around the new house and this winter I hope to plant some shade trees. Last month I did a bunch of posts on what some possibilities were. The trees I plant need to be hardy enough to survive in mostly heavy clay soil and few nutrients other than the ones I'm going to supply when I plant. I'll add potting soil, fertilizer, green sand and other amendments, hoping to give the trees a good start.

Now that I"m back at the house and it has rained for several weeks steadily and on and off, I went out to inspect the tree holes. The picture above shows one that is still holding water after three days of dry. The other holes look empty and fine. So the drainage in this hole is going to have to be fixed, if possible. I'm thinking a French drain might work. French drain was not created in France as I had always thought, but by Henry French in Concord, Massachusetts. My idea is simple. I would dig out a small piece of the wall of the hole, down to the bottom. Then insert a small piece of 2 inch pipe, put gravel over the pipe and the bottom of the hole and then pack the dirt back in to fill in the wall again.

I hope this works as the tree hole that is not draining is right at the sunniest corner of the house and I need shade there badly. It would be a real bummer to plant there and have it die in the first rains.

December 21, 2010

The tree holes revisited after a week of rains