Juniper trees are one of the most well-known trees in public and home landscaping layouts. There are more than 50 varieties in the genus Juniperus, which are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. They supply the dominant landscape cap in massive sections of wilderness in the western united states of america. Although they are adaptable to many soil and climate conditions, their growth and health is always improved when their soil requirements are met.
Soil Nutrients Needed
Tall, column-shaped junipers are often utilized as a privacy screen or to delineate a real line. Junipers are evergreen and fast-growing and perform best when their soil is nutrient-rich. Trees, shrubs and plants need 13 soil nutrients to develop nicely, along with oxygen and water. Plants and trees are able to absorb nutrients when they’re grown in the correct acid or alkaline soil environment. Soil below 7.0 is acidic and dirt above 7.0 is alkaline. Junipers prefer slightly acidic soil, from pH 5.0 to pH 7.0.
Soil Informative
Junipers do not like their roots to stand in water or soil that is waterlogged. They thrive where drainage is efficient. Both overly sandy dirt and clay-like soil do not provide the drainage junipers need. Clay soil has a high mineral contentthat provides nutrients, but they’re not easily accessed by tree roots that are waterlogged. Roots aren’t able to spread and develop easily in clay dirt. Soil with a sandy composition allows fast drainage but doesn’t hold a decent water supply to get a root system to benefit. Soil with organic matter provides good nutrient support and good root system support.
Organic Matter
Organic matter — humus — is composed of the residue of decayed plant and animal life. Billions of microscopic organisms, including beneficial fungi and bacteria, live and reproduce in humus. Soil that contains organic matter improves its ability to take and store water as well as provides the 13 nutrients junipers require in order to thrive. Garden dirt is easily analyzed because of its organic matter content by checking its colour. Nutrient-rich dirt is dark brown and appears crumbly when scooped up on your hand. Soil that is cracked and dry or permits water to pool doesn’t have enough organic matter.
Development with Compost
Soil pH is adjusted naturally when commercial or homemade compost is inserted as a mixture or mulch for juniper trees. It relaxes both acid and alkaline soils, bringing the pH levels into optimum range for nutrient availability. If soil is too sandy or too clay-like, adding compost improves its composition and makes it less likely to erode on planted hillsides. Soil using the organic matter provided by compost is filled with small channels and pores that retain air, water and nutrients. Juniper root systems adhere to the soil and develop more easily with adequate organic matter content. Wholesome soil contains between 2 and 10 percent organic matter content.