[NAFEX] Re: Wood Ashes

Jwlehman at aol.com Jwlehman at aol.com
Thu Jan 1 21:27:53 EST 2004


In a message dated 12/31/2003 11:16:24 PM US Eastern Standard Time, 
megdanh at comcast.net writes:

> I've got typical New England acidic soil as well.  Would spreading ashes 
> lightly in a circle around the drip line of my peaches, plums, pears, and 
> cherries be a good idea?  


Hello Dan,

Yes, it would, especially seeing you are on naturally acid soil. Problem is 
judging how much, but likely not a big concern for your soil.

Some years back I started applying wood ashes to my garden which tends to be 
slightly sweet (alkaline) due to lime stone deposits in the area, or at least 
that is what I'm told. After about three years of heavy applications I noticed 
poor growth and yellowing of leaves. I felt sure I had gone too far. So I 
purchased granulated sulfur applied it, just guessed, nothing scientific and got 
lucky. Problem resolved. 

Planted here are over 1,200 persimmon, pawpaw, and nut trees. My ashes are 
spread along the tree rows direct from the ash bucket. I've not noticed any 
problem, but tree roots are deeper than garden vegetables therefore more isolated. 


Personal observation on fertilizing along the drip line: Roots absorb 
nutrients at the tips, not along the surface. Many trees have roots extended nearly 
as far out as the tree is tall. Most trees aren't as wide as tall. Bottom line 
is I firmly believe the ashes should be applied beyond the drip line and as 
far as the tree is tall. Now if you are fertilizing trees on dwarfing root 
stocks that doesn't hold true and the drip line and under would be better.     

Jerry
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