Boggy Soil Trees (forum)

Bobbie starts with ...
Can anyone recommend fruit trees or any trees that will tolerate boggy clay soils? I have 5 acres and in the wet weather I have a couple of flat acres that remain extremely wet. This happens for a couple of months each year. Does anyone have any suggestions? I originally planned this area to be an orchard until I saw it in the first wet season. I am unsure if there are any fruit trees that will tolerate wet feet for a short/moderate time. Maybe I could turn into a wetland?
I would love any ideas!!
Bobbie

Time: 25th January 2009 6:53pm

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About the Author Bobbie
Midge Point QLD
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RolFlor a says...
Look in the library or book shop etc for 'Grow What Where'.
The 2006 edition has a CD which can be downloaded.
There are nearly 150 different lists of plant situations for Australian native plants.
One list is for Bogs and Ponds.
2 trees in that list can live in permanently wet soils or even under water.
Those trees are the Casuarina glauca and Melaleuca ericifolia.
Look for a quick growing bog/pond native.
A non native fruiting plant for bogs might be the Jakfruit.
Try planting on mounds too.
The casuarina is a way to grow your own wharf pilings too.
Plan for eventually maybe cutting down all/some of the natives and letting the fruiting trees remain.
Create ponds and mounds for this purpose.
Read Permaculture books,some are better than others.

Time: 25th January 2009 7:50pm

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About the Author health101orgarticles1
Ovahere
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peter says...
www.edibleforestnursery.com/soilinfo.htm

Time: 25th January 2009 9:30pm

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About the Author peter30001
adelaide
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lucy says...
Hi Bobby,

I have 11 acres of boggy land in Lancashire UK.

The best thing to grow on boggy soils would be willow or alder trees. They are good for biomass and may help to dry up the soil. Put them in the wettest part. They can even withstand stagnant water.

other trees that may do well are:
Elderberry
Serviceberry
quince
some pears
birch
ash
and holly.

In terms of plants and shrubs that like moist soil:
Rhubarb
Dogwood
cranberry and blueberry (especially if your soil is acid)
mint and spearmint
celery
kale and many other brasiccas
celeriac
peppers
tomatoes
cucumbers

Happy growing




Time: 2nd December 2010 5:25am

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About the Author lucy
Lancashire UK
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Brendan says...
G'day Bobbie,
I'm just down the road from you, and can only grow fruit trees etc by planting them on a mound. I'm in clay too.

Do a search (top right), for Anthracnose Avocado, and see pic of my avocado planted on a mound, and details for planting :-)

Time: 2nd December 2010 8:55am

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About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q
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Rhys says...
We have clay soil, and have some problems with water-logging, but probably not quite as bad as yours Bobbies...we had citrus that struggled pretty badly, but our Mulberry has really thrived in the heavy soil so that could be worth considering?
Rhys

Time: 3rd December 2010 11:05pm

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About the Author Getafix
 
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amanda says...
Bobbie - if you can afford it - why not get some advice? You will only have to prepare the ground once - and yes, it will likely involve earthmoving and the set up of underground run off channels etc - but it could be worth it in the long run maybe? It's not that hard. You need a drainage dude.
The beauty of a good set up is that any excess could be diverted into a dam/wet lands via swales. Maybe they could even be blocked again during dry times - lots of possibilities there.

I envy you to be honest!

Time: 3rd December 2010 11:23pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton Mid West WA
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allybanana says...
With also some places of boggy clay to deal with this is what have found.

Mullberry as says Rhys, pomergranate and Blackberry, (periods of bog, some clay and drought),

pear, quince, , plum,(heavy loam some clay and periods of bog)

jabotocaba and Asimina (high organic and periods of bog)

Time: 6th December 2010 12:11am

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About the Author allybanana
Eden S-East NSW
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heddysue says...
Hi Everyone, you would have to add persimmon they are OK in wet clay and pepino is worth a try as ground cover.
If anyone wants asimina triloba seed I have some for sale very cheap $1 ea plus postage. They are ideal in wet situations but like wind and hot westerly sun protection, as they are an understory plant. www.quicksales.com.au search asimina.
Does anyone know if youngberry handles wet feet?

Time: 22nd January 2013 3:24pm

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About the Author heddysue
Kyogle
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heddysue says...
Also we have longan, jackfruit, canistel, and mulberry growing in a seasonal boggy area, and they are all doing really well. One of the custard apple family is there too, but I can't remember which one and it's lost it's tag

Time: 22nd January 2013 3:28pm

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About the Author heddysue
Kyogle
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