Temperate Fruit & Orchards > Temperate Fruit Discussion
Tree planted too shallowly (?)
Triloba Tracker:
In the spring of 2018 I planted this one year old pawpaw seedling.
I guess I was a little sloppy and didn’t get it deep enough and/or the potting mix settled a bit.
Either way, some roots are exposed near the base of the trunk.
The tree seems healthy enough - it doubled in size in its first year in the ground.
The roots have mostly lignified by now.
Any reason to do anything about this, and if so, what would it be?
Solko:
I don’t think it is anything you should worry about. I was always taught that it is much better, (or just good) to plant a tree the way you did, a little above the original soil level. This will form a good root flare and trees are naturally well able to cope with soil that settles or compacts under their roots - they just grow deeper roots and the crown lignifies and covers itself with bark.
While the other way around is much more damaging, if you plant a tree too deep the bark above the crown doesn’t have the ability to fight off molds and fungi when covered in wet soil all the time.
Triloba Tracker:
Thank you!!
Most feedback I’ve received agrees with you.
NateTheGreat:
Most of my pawpaws were this way when they were delivered to me. I think the soil level stuff is about the right concentrations of oxygen to the feeder roots. You didn't uncover any of those so I wouldn't worry about it.
Triloba Tracker:
--- Quote from: NateTheGreat on January 21, 2019, 10:59:11 AM ---Most of my pawpaws were this way when they were delivered to me. I think the soil level stuff is about the right concentrations of oxygen to the feeder roots. You didn't uncover any of those so I wouldn't worry about it.
--- End quote ---
Do you mean potted pawpaws you bought looked like this in the container?
Yeah, I think I will leave it. It made it through the first year fine. There’s a remote chance the winter could damage these exposed roots but if so, it’ll just replace them underground I’d think.
I have heard it said that pawpaws can tolerate “too deep” planting more than other species, but who knows.
Thanks!
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version