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.