Assistance Required Please Re Best Soil To Use Under Apple Tree

[scounter]

Hello,

I have a large established appled tree that provides an abundance of apples each year. At it's base set in a bricked circle are a load of small coloured stones the size of gravel.

I am keen to dig these out and replace them with some good quality soil to start growing some plants but have no idea what soil to use. I have read that under a fruit tree you want a soil that is good at retaining water and also nutrients. My local garden centres have been unable to assist me effectively with suggesting a good brand and typ eot use.

Can anyone help please?

Thank you

[Bill HH]

Under a tree is not a good place to grow much, there are plants that will survive but certainly not many vegetables. However if you have no choice then if it were me I would dig out what is there and put in lots of paper and cardboard etc then mix the soil you took out with any compost, either home made or purchased (I dont think theres much to choose between them)before putting it back. Also be prepared to water it a lot, that tree will suck it bone dry.

[boundtothesoil]

I'd go for some decent topsoil (begged, stolen or borrowed) rather than a compost-based medium. If you choose the latter you will forever be topping it up as much of the organic matter is eventually respired away with a resulting decline in 'soil volume.'

[Bill HH]

I'd go for some decent topsoil (begged, stolen or borrowed) rather than a compost-based medium. If you choose the latter you will forever be topping it up as much of the organic matter is eventually respired away with a resulting decline in 'soil volume.'

I think it will need constant topping up, but I did say mix it with the soil. The thing is to retain what moisture there is, hence the paper and cardboard and the compost. Toppping it up with fresh compost every so often will also retain moisture.
The other solution is to make a raised bed to surround the tree, octagonal shape and quite deep, this will avoid the problems of tree rooots and give more control. It willl still need plants that dont mind shade though.

[Penellype]

Would building a raised bed around the tree harm it, eg rot the trunk?

[Bill HH]

I was thinking of a raised bed with inner and outer sides so it doesnt touch the tree. You are quite right in thinking 10 inches of soil against the trunk might not be a good idea. If an octagon is too complicated build it with just 4 sides, the inner box maybe 12 inches away from the tree and the outer box as big as you like. You could even incorparate part of it into a seat, what a nice way to spend an hour in the summer.

[rustylady]

What exactly do you want to grow under your apple tree? It's not the best place for plants.

[Penellype]

I grew alpine strawberries successfully directly under a dwarf apple tree, but I pulled them out because the birds were eating all the fruit and I couldn't net it under the tree. The apples tended to fall into the strawberry plants and get lost. It does prove that things will grow under apple trees though.

[scounter]

Thank you all for the prompt responss and apologies for the delay in replying.

I aim to grow some of the following:

Daffodils, Tulips, Chile, Dward Bee Balm, Echinacea, Lupins, Red Clover and Snowdrops.

I will consider the raised bed option or at least some sort of barrier to protect the tree's trunk from the effects of contact with the soil/compost mix.

[Jeanied]

If the apple tree is mature it will have an extensive root system so you will need to water across that area. Not sure if chillies or echinacea would like the shade but you could get away with the bulbs I think.

[Bren In Pots]

I grow wild flowers at the base of my two apple trees it seems to work out well.