OT-PLANTS: leaves and soil pH
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: OT-PLANTS: leaves and soil pH
- From: s*@aristotle.net (J. Michael, Celia or Ben Storey)
- Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 10:58:12 -0600 (MDT)
>I never tested the soil where mine grow, but
>it is under oak trees and I'm sure it is not alkaline.
Rick's helpful comments remind me that I want to ask you smart people about
oak leaves. I have always assumed oak leaves make soil slightly acid, but
this year I had the soil in the "woodland" portion of my yard tested and
darned if it wasn't alkaline! The area's shaded by a large mulberry and a
large oak. For years I've just assumed this would be a neutral-to-acidic
environment.
I didn't really believe the test results until a hydrangea planted there
bloomed for the first time, just as pink as pink could be.
The fellow who lived here 30 years ago did a lot of landscaping, so the
soil may have been imported. Still, you would think 30 years of
leaf-dropping would have some effect on surface pH.
What's the story on oak leaves (and perhaps mulberry)? Acid soil or
alkaline soil?
celia
storey@aristotle.net
Little Rock
