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Old Joshua tree roots - how to protect against?
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Posted by hoping4better so cal - L.A. (My Page) on Sat, May 2, 09 at 21:38
| I have an old Joshua tree that has at least a solid 4' diameter as it's base and its roots go absolutely everywhere around the tree for at least 10-15 feet.
I want to plant some shrubs (blueberry, raspberry and blackberry) nearby, BUT I want to make sure they don't get choked out
Any Suggestions to protect them? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Old Joshua tree roots - how to protect against?
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| Berries require an acid soil, pH 6 or so, and your Joshua grows in alkine soil, pH 7.5 or so. The soil will not be good for either plant. The roots of the tree will continue to grow outward as it grows so I suggest you look for native berries which there are several available. |
RE: Old Joshua tree roots - how to protect against?
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| Unless you want to loose the Joshua Tree, keep all watering away from the base and outwards to a distance of at least 25ft. A 4ft tree is very old and not used to excessive water. Joshua's are very prone to rot. Try and not disturb the soil in that 25 ft area either. The tree is probably 100s of years old. Berries will do better if grown in a more moist environment.
Blueberries need very acidic soil. Raspberry and Blackberry a little less so. Boysenberries do real well in SoCal. |
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