OT- Using a post hole digger to plant trees

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Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1477708297	Reply with quote #1

I intend to plant some trees using a post hole digger and wanted to know if anyone ever used such a tool to plant trees before and any reviews that might help. I'm currently looking at one listed on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/370782779886?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Thank You in advance. __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

dkirtexas

Registered:1341345900
Posts: 1,332

Posted 1477709473	Reply with quote #2

A lot depends on the soils, or lack there of, LOL North of Austin can be really rocky and that makes the use of an auger iffy. We tried using one on the North side of 1431 and it was a real trial. Every time you hit a rock it will kick up and the possibility of wedging a rock in the blade is a real possibility. __________________ Thx, glad to be here Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO" Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8 Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED. Any LSU fig.

ohjustaguy

Registered:1294505489
Posts: 324

Posted 1477709597	Reply with quote #3

I use a regular (non-mechanical) post hole digger, like you use for fence posts. Works great in my clay, sometimes very hard soil. I agree with other post, be careful using a powerful machine like that. __________________ San Jose 9b http://www.kevinsedibleyard.com/

palazzophoto

Registered:1365388327
Posts: 140

Posted 1477710167	Reply with quote #4

Don't do it! Dig a wide saucer shaped hole. __________________ Justin Palazzo Wish List: Red Sicilian,Red Israel,Sbayi, Martinenca Rimada(any of the Rimada family) Dauphine/Grantham's Royal,Figo Preto, Olympian Quality Unknown Cultivars

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1477712036	Reply with quote #5

I put the weed barrier first. LOL http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f45/saswk/IMG_1303_zps9hwvj4kn.jpg __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

NoelG_123

Registered:1406247827
Posts: 180

Posted 1477712073	Reply with quote #6

I'd rent one at Home Depot. They work well with the help of a friend. If you want to saucer the edges you still can. I live in an area with alot of clay, I dig a large 30 gallon plus hole even though others might not recommend it and use enriched soil to fill it. After digging and cleaning out the hole, I cover the bottom with a 4+" layer of gravel I then stand a 4" drain pipe on top of the gravel, tall enough to extend 12" above ground level, I then put a few inches of gravel in it as well. I then I anchor it temporarily while filling the hole with soil and the tree. This way I can choose to water and fertilize the tree at the root zone keeping surface weeds at a minimum. We have gophers as well so I make a wire basket for the tree before setting it in place. It's worked well so far. I've read that if you make a big hole, that the roots won't grow beyond the hole but since it's hard clay I don't see how it hurts. If there are others with an alternate view, I'd appreciate hearing it. Thanks. __________________ "A fig by any other name, is a Newton."

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1477713420	Reply with quote #7

Planted a whole bunch of trees on the other side of my land, using a manual post hole digger, but no weed barrier. The weeds were higher than my trees and had to wait until last week to find them again. Most survived two summers so far with no irrigation. http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f45/saswk/IMG_1270_zpsgsstemin.jpg __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1477750891 · Edited	Reply with quote #8

I just rented and used a 30" auger on a dingo. (Ditch witch) to plant 18 6' tall 15 gal Leyland Cypress. I had them all planted in 2 hrs. With delivery I think it was $360.00. It was hard clay with no rocks. However, even in rocky soil this thing is a beast. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1477751377	Reply with quote #9

I love Leland Cypress! Congratulations. __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

SteveP

Registered:1459370601
Posts: 18

Posted 1477783358

Reply with quote #10

I use an auger on my Bobcat but I don't plant in the drilled hole. The reason for this is the sides of the hole will glaze and the roots will have a hard time breaking through the glazing. This is the reason commercial farming operations don't drill holes. What I do is drill the hole as deep as I can go and then I use my stump bucket on the Bobcat to break the sides of the hole in and then I mound the ground up with the bucket. I then plant on the top of the 2 foot tall mound digging the hole for the tree by hand. The soil is usually very soft at this point and is very easy to dig. What I don't want is compacted soil that will slow the growth of the tree. In the commercial almond and walnut orchards I have setup and farmed, I would layout the ground and then use a backhoe dig a deep hole (5+ feet deep and 5 feet around) for each tree and then back fill leaving a mound. We would then have a crew come in, stretch cable and dig all the holes for each tree by hand.

Just my 2 cents but if you want to drill, make sure you break up the sides of the hole.
__________________
New fig farmer in fig country. Chowchilla, CA Zone 9B
Rooted: Mission and Texas Everbearing
Rooting this winter: Black Jack, Brown Turkey, Ruby #4, Malta Black, Pel De Beu, O'rouke, Black Ischia, Lloral, Bari Italy, Nero 600, Hardy Chicago, Alma, Black Bethelham, Desert King, Italian Honey, Unk Woodbridge Light, Unk Woodbridge Dark, Unk Chios and Lyndhurst White.
Looking for: Peter's Honey that will survive the rooting process...

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1477787326	Reply with quote #11

Very interesting! Went back today and dug a few holes by hand. Planted a total of seven trees and covered with mulch. It might take a while, but it's safer that way. Thanks everyone. [/URL] __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1478094916	Reply with quote #12

Hi, I'm planning to use a post-hole-digger to bury trimmings from my trees. Those hole will be some on site compost piles to feed the worms and to make bigger stems disappear faster from sight. Depending on your land, making such holes is a good or a bad idea. It depends on the water flow and the water table. If you make such a hole, and your land is hard clay, you may have all water come/flow to the hole ( water flows to the lower point it finds) . Imagine if you have a high water table ... Water will raise there first. So I would dig more holes (twice) than the number of trees that I would plant. So that water could escape elsewhere than just at the feet of the trees. Well, now, I just need to buy a post-hole-digger - I'll go for the manual operated one - although then I need the strength to get it to drill in the dirt... But that's another problem. For the trashcans, I dug holes of 2'2'2' - 60cm60cm60cm . At surface level, it was not a problem, but deeper I had to use a hammer, a burin and a crowbar ... That was some nice meal to deal with ... Believe me or not, but while digging one hole, it was getting late, so I threw a bucket of water in the hole to soften the dirt for the next day ... Well, the next day, I had to use a bucket to empty the hole ... the water was still there ... The clay jar effect, they call it . __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1478103398	Reply with quote #13

Hi JD, When digging holes, I found that using a shovel similar to this one https://www.amazon.com/Closed-Back-Round-Point-Spades/dp/B00002N8PP/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1478102829&sr=8-8&keywords=razorback+spade Was much easier than using a post hole digger. The hand post hole digger became useful when I hit a root. As for the type of land that you might have, if you add a nice layer of compost and mulch you could grow anything. My land floods seasonally, but it did not stop me from turning this into an advantage. I'm encouraged by the fact that I have mature pecan trees among other trees. Also almost all my Jujube trees and over half of my fig trees are still alive after two summers. So I planted more trees this week and recently replaced the dead ones. Each time I plant a tree I add 2 Cft of natural hardwood mulch at the base of tree to preserve humidity, during the drought . __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1478116162	Reply with quote #14

A post hole digger will work fine on one or 2 trees. If you have a bunch to plant, go get yourself a one man auger. It comes with a wide bit. I us it planting 40 Pawpaw trees. Pawpaws have a very long tap root. I could never use a post hole digger to plant 40 trees. I would wear by back out in an hour! A tiller will work better if you get a good one like Craftsman. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1478135220	Reply with quote #15

Phase II almost complete using a shovel, lost five pounds and just need a couple of days Off:) [/URL] __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

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