Shallow, rocky soil for fruit trees; Class VII -- bad choice?

7 years ago

Hi,

Bellow is a description of a site I've been looking at. If you don't mind, please tell whether you'd guess it might be good for growing persimmons, paw paws, native plums, and sour cherries, etc. - in light of these updated details.

Soil Series: RnfD -- Farmington/Galway Complex.

This is a complex of shallow, well-drained, loamy slightly acidic soils that are shallow; only about 20" to bedrock. Bedrock is calcareous (dolomite limestone), with fissures.

Around the clearing, there are many somewhat mature trees, for some reason; poplars, ash, etc. The soil series there is described (NRCS soil survey) as being Class 7-s. The soil has rocky outcroppings scattered around, but not everywhere. The water capacity is about 6 to 7 centimeters. There are spots as shallow as 16" and spots as deep as 40" also.The soil has rocky outcroppings scattered around, but not everywhere. The water capacity is about 6 to 7 centimeters. There are spots as shallow as 16" and spots as deep as 40" also.

"Class VII (7) soils have very severe limitations that make them unsuited to cultivation and that restrict their use mainly to grazing, forestland, or wildlife." "Subclass s is made up of soils that have soil limitations within the rooting zone, such as shallowness of the rooting zone, stones, low moisture-holding capacity, low fertility that is difficult to correct, and salinity or sodium content."

The surficial rock has been cleared from much of the surface, and these maps are not 100% accurate, so perhaps Class 6-s can be applied here instead of 7-s; the near by site is a slated as 7-s, and a variant of this series.

I'd plant trees as small seedlings, and I won't need to be doing a lot of tilling. I'd put mulch on the surface.

Due to rockiness, irrigation might be difficult -- but I'm considering putting in a series of channels to divert water though out, starting with a retention pond I'd create, if I purchased this property.

Please let me know what you think -- thanks,

Comments (2)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
That soil sounds usable with irrigation. Especially if well mulched and weed competition is minimized. I'd be thinking something more like drip or sprinkler. Furrow irrigation can be very wasteful esp if the soil has rapid infilltration.

Climate is important. How much does it rain and is the area prone to long periods of hot dry weather. If you've got enough water furrow can work.

Trees can do well and produce high quality fruit with limited water. Quality is usually better with some water deficit than with excess water. Crop is important. Berries and small fruit need more water than tree fruits. Things like jujube laugh at dry weather.
garybeaumont_gw
7 years ago
I would contact your local NRCS office and see what they have to say. It seems like the soil varies and can either be bedrock outcropping or 20 inch deep soil. Even the pH varies from very acidic to slightly alkaline. Might want a soil test where you were thinking of planting the trees. If you are in Sussex county NJ the local office that serves that area is in Halletstown. Soil surveys are a good tool but especially with complex soils can vary a lot. The local office might even come out and look at the place with you, with the owners permission.
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Shallow, rocky soil for fruit trees; Class VII -- bad choice?

Comments (2)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

garybeaumont_gw

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