Sadly we lost another pine tree in our backyard; we’ve lost three due to the clay soil. I find pine trees so beautiful that the loss is painful.
Pine trees are among the most popular and widely used for landscaping and other outdoor projects. Unfortunately, pine trees do not thrive in all soil types; clay soil is particularly unfavorable for tree growth. Clay soils are poorly aerated, meaning that water cannot drain from the roots quickly, leading to water-logging around the base of the tree, which can lead to root rot. The lack of drainage also prevents oxygen from reaching the roots, depriving them of one of their primary sources of nutrition. This creates an environment where pine trees can’t get enough nutrients and moisture, resulting in stunted growth or death.
The best way to avoid clay soil’s harmful effects on pine trees is to plant them in a different type of soil, preferably one with more organic material and better drainage, such as loam or sandy soil.
The loss of the tree left a large open area behind the wine barrels and an opportunity for a new project. My husband, Jim, has planted four Yew Pine trees along the fence line, which from previous experience, tolerate the clay soil. We’ve moved my planting bench back into the new space and will place a raised planter box for vegetables back there as well. We don’t have a large backyard, but we’re using all available space, and I want everything to be as beautiful as possible.
As we contemplate the loss of our pine tree, I can’t help but feel a little sad that it no longer stands as a focal point in our small backyard. But as Jim and I work to reclaim the space with our new Yew Pine trees, planting bench, and raised planter box full of vegetables, I am filled with anticipation. Taking back our outdoor space is an act of love for our home. Our effort to reclaim our outdoor living space is an opportunity to make something beautiful from an unfortunate situation. Stay tuned for updates on our progress.
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