Re: Planting around old trees after glyphosate

**E*@aol.com**

Round up is a short term, non selective herbicide. It is out of  the soil 
is 10-14 days. That being said, since it is an old tree, I wouldn't  plant 
anything underneath the canopy of the tree. Digging will destroy the  feeder 
roots and that is more important than anything else. Covering it up with  a 
very light mulch would probably be ok, no more than an inch.  If you  don't 
plant something under a tree when planting the tree, I discourage people  
from disturbing the soil afterwards.  You also can destroy the mychorrizae  
that will be colonizing the area.
  Ask you neighbor to please stop spraying the area, but  don't plant 
anything under it.
denise

"There's a few things I've learned in life: always throw salt  over your 
left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for  good 
luck, and fall in love whenever you can" 

"Practical Magic"  

In a message dated 7/7/2011 1:37:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
ffarm@rogers.com writes:

Sheri  Ann,

I don't know about how long one should wait before the Round-up  has been 
sprayed to safely plant; perhaps someone else has the answer to  that.  
Personally, I would wait a full season.  

In regard to  the legality, I would just talk to her and ask her to stop 
since you will be  making a garden around the tree.

I do know that creating a raised bed  around the trunk and root zone of 
trees is not a good idea, according to what  I've been taught.  Not only does 
it compromise the trunk (think moisture  promoting rot, and a place for 
chewing critters to safely hide), but it  suffocates the delicate feeder roots, 
making them struggle for oxygen and  potentially eventually killing the tree.

If it were me, I would  top-dress and amend the soil around the tree trunk 
with an inch or two of  compost and then mass plant Geranium macrorrhizum 
(IMO one of the best  perennials when you require shallow rooting and dry 
shade  tolerance).

Ailsa Francis
Gardening columnist, Ottawa Citizen  newspaper
Horticulturist, garden writer and  blogger
www.hortus2.wordpress.com
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