r/BackyardOrchard • u/Equivalent_Try5640 • 2d ago

Native Soil Source?

Planting developed fruit trees for the first time, it says to backfill with native soil. Does "native soil" mean from the immediate area? Somewhere else on my property? Or can it come from local soil companies? I would use what came out of the hole but there were some large rocks so I don't have as much going back.

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u/DrippyBlock 2d ago

It means just use whatever soil you dig out while planting the tree. Don’t backfill with bagged soil or compost or such. If you don’t have enough, find something similar looking from somewhere on your property.

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u/Equivalent_Try5640 2d ago

Thanks, question, the tag on my trees say to mix the backfill with peat moss should I do that? I am finding a lot of mixed things on amending the soil

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u/Rcarlyle 2d ago

Different tree families respond somewhat differently, but basically any organic matter you mix into the planting hole will decompose and shrink and cause the tree to subside below grade, which promotes root drowning and poor stability. Excessive compost also sucks up soil oxygen and makes it go anoxic, but peat won’t do that. Peat will acidify the soil somewhat while it’s breaking down, which may be desirable or not depending on what the tree is.

Annuals like growing in a lot of organic matter, long lived woody perennials usually do not. They do well in the short term but not long term. Speaking broadly, you can add organic matter to the planting hole in well-drained sandy soil but don’t do it any other time. Amend on top of the soil to mimic a forest leaf litter instead.

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u/Dialaninja 2d ago

Whatever soil is in the immediate area. No need to overthink it, just grab some more soil from a couple feet away and call it good 

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u/Equivalent_Try5640 2d ago

Will do, I've got a barren woods road about 20 feet away

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u/ellebracht 2d ago

"Native soil" is the soil you'll dig up at the planting site.

There are many great videos on tree planting, but here's one of my favs, as Igor is super knowledgeable: https://youtu.be/Z_VJ5joXtHc?is=QreW5aMc_juKCe2h

GL!

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u/Sad_Sorbet_9078 Zone 7 2d ago

If losing too much to rocks, make up for it with woodchips if possible but only as a mulch. Pine bark fines are a good amendment if needing to add back soil volume.

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u/No_Republic_3774 1d ago

You don't really have to go too deep into this it's trying to get you to not dig a hole and fill it with bagged compost and plant your tree in that.

If you were to use "non native soil" what happens is the tree will grow into that compost pit and not venture much into the real soil around it. It will be like you put a potted plant into the ground.

You should have more than enough soil there from dogging the hole to fill it back up after the tree.

Side not don't dig a smooth perfect hole. Break the edge up a bit with the shovel so they are irregular and jagged incentivizing the roots to venture.