Soil Management
Soil health plays a crucial role in the overall health and vigor of trees and shrubs. In Penn State Extension’s extensive range of resources, you’ll find information on soil management of trees and shrubs, including nutritional requirements, soil testing, fertilization, soil fertility, and pH. Find tips on site selection and dealing with road salt injury.
Soil Management for Trees and Shrubs: Soil Quality, Testing, and Mulching
Soil health is key to the growth of trees and shrubs in a landscape. There are so many things we do that disrupt the natural nutrient cycling trees and shrubs rely on for energy production and growth. Without it, the soil lacks several important ingredients for healthy growth. Organic content, pH, micronutrients, macronutrients, and the soil's ability to exchange water and oxygen are all vital components of soil that impact what you plant in it.
The longevity of your trees and shrubs depends on the fertility of the soil in which you plant them. Effective soil management means you can create conditions that are most favorable for growth.
Soil management starts with soil testing, as it allows you to determine the fertility of the soil as well as the nutrient requirements for trees and shrubs you want to plant. Penn State Extension offers a soil testing service that measures the levels of several essential plant nutrients and recommends the proper amount of lime and fertilizer. It will also measure soil pH, the levels of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium, and make a nitrogen recommendation.
You can improve the condition of the soil in many ways. Mulching landscape trees improves soil condition and protects plants from lawn equipment and foot traffic. It also suppresses weeds. Mulches can also be used to enhance the beauty of a landscape. They do not, however, protect evergreens from salt spray damage. Choosing salt-tolerant species is one way of mitigating the risk of salt injury. Glyphosate can also cause serious damage when sprayed near trees.
Trees and Shrubs for Dry or Wet Soils
All trees and shrubs need some light to survive and most grow best when in full sunlight. However, there are certain species that can tolerate shade. Water is also an essential element for growth, but certain species seem to be better adapted to tolerate dry sites.
Tree and shrub roots require oxygen to thrive, but when the soil is completely saturated with water, there is no room for air. This type of soil is only suitable for trees and shrubs that are more tolerant of wet sites.
But what about areas where there is a combination of conditions? Penn State Extension can provide planting guides for a variety of areas. These guides are suitable for home tree growers and green industry professionals. Some common trees and shrubs for these areas include:
- Sun to part sun/dry to moist soil: Hackberry, American Beech, Sourwood, Red Oak, Bush Honeysuckle
- Sun to part sun/wet to moist soil: Red Maple, American Holly, Pin Oak, Red Chokeberry, Virginia Sweetspire
- Shade to part shade/dry to moist soil: Witch Hazel, Yellow-root, American Filbert, Wreath Goldenrod, Evergreen Wood Fern
- Shade to part shade/wet to moist soil: Sweetbay Magnolia, Eastern Hemlock, Pagoda Dogwood, Inkberry, Spicebush
In this section, find plentiful resources and advice on soil management for trees and shrubs suitable for landscaping professionals, as well as for your home garden.
- Articles
Consider Soil pH Before Selecting Trees and Shrubs for Landscape Use
Soil pH is often overlooked when selecting landscape ornamentals for installation. - Articles
Soil Testing
Soil testing is a soil-management tool used to determine the fertility of soil as well as the optimum lime and fertilizer requirements for crops. - Articles
Planting and Growing Stone Fruit in Home Plantings
Conduct a soil test, and lime and fertilize a 10-by-10-foot area where each tree will be planted. - Articles
Home Orchard - Site Selection
The success of an orchard is only as good as the planning and site preparation that go into it. - Articles
Nutritional Requirements of Apples in Home Fruit Plantings
Nutritional requirements of apple trees are best determined by nutritional analysis and observations of tree growth. - Articles
Nutritional Requirements of Stone Fruit in Home Fruit Plantings
Shortly after planting, apply 8 ounces of 10-10-10 per plant. - Articles
How to Pasteurize Medium and Sterilize Containers and Tools
To increase the survival rate for seedlings during germination, containers and tools should be sterilized and pasteurized or sterile soilless mixes should be used as growing medium. - Articles
Don't Guess... Soil Test
Proper soil fertility is the foundation for plant health. Different types of plants have specific nutritional requirements and soil pH and nutrient levels vary greatly from site to site. - Articles
Spent Mushroom Substrate
Spent mushroom substrate is the soil-like material remaining after a crop of mushrooms. Spent substrate is high in organic matter making it desirable for use as a soil amendment or soil conditioner. - Articles
Lacebark Pine: Its Bark is Better Than its Bite
Lacebark pine, Pinus bungeana, is native to eastern and central China. - Articles
Ericacea (Heath) Family and Their Culture
Generally, the ericaceous plants are woody and range in size from low ground covers to small trees over 20 feet tall. - Articles
Forest Stewardship: Backyard Trees
Trees help improve water quality, increase property values and make neighborhoods more visually appealing. This article provides tips for choosing, planting, and caring for backyard trees. - Articles
Improving Local Water Quality Through Lawn Conversion
Converting some mowed turf areas in your landscape to trees and meadow can have a tremendous impact on local water quality, habitat wildlife and pollinators, air quality, and property values. - Online Courses
$19.00
Employee Landscape Training: New Lawn Establishment
Sections 1Length 30 minutesThis course helps landscape businesses train beginner and seasonal employees to prepare, till, grade, fertilize, seed, mow and water new lawns and turfgrass. Earn PCH credits. - Online Courses
$19.00
Employee Landscape Training: Introduction to Soils
Sections 3Length 2 hoursThis course helps landscape businesses train beginner and seasonal employees to identify soil properties, fertilize and amend soils, and grade, level, and fill. Earn PCH credits. - News
Mulch Volcanoes Are Erupting Everywhere!
Date Posted 7/19/2018Extension educators, arborists, and other knowledgeable horticulturists have railed against the prevalence of mulch volcanoes for decades. So why do we still see so much mulch piled around the trunks of trees? - Articles
Mulching Landscape Trees
Mulches are materials placed over the soil surface to enhance landscape beauty, improve soil conditions, protect plants from foot traffic and lawn equipment, and suppress weeds. - Conferences
Green Industry Conference
Length 8 hoursGreen industry professionals are invited to join us for professional development and networking opportunities. - Articles
Choosing Plants Wisely
To create and maintain a healthy landscape, choose plants that are suited to the conditions in your yard.