Under an Oak tree

[Sue]

Now my main allotment is nearly finished (yes, I know, I mean structurally, all raised beds in, paths done etc) I'm eyeing up the half plot where I keep my hens. It's on the other side of the allotments so a trek to go back and forth but I do want to do something with it.
There is a mature oak tree with the main trunk about 15ft away from the edge of the allotment, it doesn't restrict the light until about 3-4pm. I was allowed this plot free for my hens due to the tree, the leaf shedding and the roots.
Now the leaves arn't a problem, they're a bonus it's the roots that will be the problem and their take-up of water, but is it worth considering cultivation especially if I used raised beds?

I didn't notice the plot was overdry last summer but didn't see it in a drought-year so hard to judge.

Eventually I'm going to move all my compost bins over there to free up 30ft x 6ft on my main allotment but there will still be plenty of space left for growing.

What do you think?

Sue

[rustylady]

Bear in mind that the root spread is supposed to be the same as the canopy (leaves and branches). Obviously (I think) the further away from the trunk the deeper below the soil level the roots should be. Shade may not be a problem, but available depth of soil may be. I think if you want to grow crops then maybe shallow rooted ones would be best. (e.g. no root veg, maybe salad crops or fruit bushes) Compost bins there sounds like a really good idea.

[Paul Wagland]

I would say go for it - but I'm an optimist! Oak leaves are supposed to make the best leafmould, but it takes twice as long as with other leaves. You can flour with acorns too; I've always wanted to give it a go.

[jeannine]

I like your idea of making raised beds - and then maybe you can just experiment and see what does well. Lots of leafy veg grow fine in partial shade.

Most of my front garden is shadowed by an old weeping willow and it's surprising how many different things grow happily underneath. I'm guessing willows don't cast as much shade as an oak but it's certainly very thirsty as trees go, so watering is the main problem for me!

[Snadger]

Are truffles not found around Oak trees? The mighty Oak is supposed to be the most environmentally friendly of them all, supporting countless small creatures.

Whenever I see an Oak tree it reminds me of the 'Green Man' and I think I need to pay homage to this pre-christian deity! Isn't that where the 'Touch wood' term originated?

[jacob marley]

Are truffles not found around Oak trees? The mighty Oak is supposed to be the most environmentally friendly of them all, supporting countless small creatures.

Whenever I see an Oak tree it reminds me of the 'Green Man' and I think I need to pay homage to this pre-christian deity! Isn't that where the 'Touch wood' term originated?

Touchwood originated so i read in a book many years ago from when we worshiped the proffit BAIL who was wooden that is my take on that one maybe wrong the book was printed in 1937 so things may be different now jacob

[Sue]

It is a very beautiful tree and from my main allotment it's a useful timepiece as you know it will soon be time to go home when the sun goes behind its branches.

I have been collecting the falling leaves all winter and mixing them in with the woodshavings and straw in the hen run each week, means I get ready mixed compost (snitched this idea from a book).

I'll move my hens round the plot this year as a plot cleaning exercise and the renovation of this plot will be my next project and I do like the idea of growing salads here. Will be very grand to have a salad garden!

I was toying with the idea of leaving the hens in one spot and then I could run guttering from their hen run roof into waterbutts, could easily get 400 litres from it for my planned crops. (or do I mean gallons?? - anyway big waterbutts).

Always make work for yourself I say....
Sue

[TonyF]

I 'own' a very large oak wood which comes right down into the back of the garden, effectively over half of my back garden although the part closest to the house is being thinned and partially cut down this year.

I have the same problem with the tree roots and to be honest, with raised beds it's just not a problem so long as you're willing to nip the ends off if they grow through. It's also a matter of what's under the soil. I only have 6" or so of 'usable' clay soil so the roots run along the bed rock and you can often see them exposed where the soil is most shallow.

I'd go for it - and as Paul says, the leaves and all the bye-products are an added bonus. My leaf mould area is now about 20' by 20', all wired round and we rake all the leaves up into a huge pile in that, started that last autumn and it's already paying dividends because I'm digging some of the really old stuff, been on the ground at least three years, into the new raised beds.

[Madasafish]

We have a 15 metre oak in front garden.
Ground faces south so still sunny, have fewer problems in soil cracking in droughts there due to shade than exposed parts of garden.


And three bigger oaks in fields- between 15 and 50 metres away so leaves blow into our garden.

Leaves make great compost but slowly... and picking them up keeps me very fit...