Tree and amendment recommendations for clay soils

[jimgrows]

Hello, I will soon be working on a site that has been stripped of its topsoil. The subsoil is clay. The owner did not save the topsoil nor do they want to import any. The site is located near Redwood City, CA so the climate is moderate. Three quarters of the site is on an incline.(approx.30%) and levels off. most of the trees are to be planted on the incline. Can you suggest a tree and shrub list of trees etc...that will thrive in these conditions? Website links are good also. Aside from ripping this soil, adding gympum, and mulching is there anything else that can be done for long term growing and health? Thanks.... jim

 

[Rtom45]

You might just as well plant in concrete, you'll have as much luck.
Even if you add amended soil to the planting holes, the plants will only do well until they outgrow the hole. Lawn will not grow in clay without some help(lots of spoonfed fertilizer, ....) and never miss an application or you'll lose it. Without topsoil, you're just setting youself up for failure.