Fruit trees and ashes

[Windy_jem]

I have apple, pear, plum and cherry trees... Can I pour my ashes from my fireplace on the ground by the roots? Will it be ok or not?
I'm in zone 4, central WI

[Terri]

Ashes make the soil more acid. If your soil lacks acid, then yes, if it is acid already, then no.

Personally, I like to scatter the ash very thinly on the lawn right before a good rain, as my soil is neutral.

[Cabin Fever]

Sorry Terri, ashes make the soil more alkaline (ie, ashes raise soil pH or makes the soil less acidic). Ashes contain many minerals including potassium, phosphorus and calcium, as well as several micronutrients. Ashes also contain salts, so be carefull with the amount you use per square foot. I'd suggest no more than 1/2 cup per square foot.

[fordson major]

we have been dumping our ashes by the fruit trees for years! we have an slightly alkaline soil and have not notice an increase in alkalinity but we do add manure mixed with wood chips so may balance out the alkalinity. since we heat over 8,000 square feet we have lots of ash!

[Terri]

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

Sorry Terri, ashes make the soil more alkaline (ie, ashes raise soil pH or makes the soil less acidic). Ashes contain many minerals including potassium, phosphorus and calcium, as well as several micronutrients. Ashes also contain salts, so be carefull with the amount you use per square foot. I'd suggest no more than 1/2 cup per square foot.

WHOOPS! Mental hiccup!

Of COUSE they are!!!!!!!!

[airotciv]

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

Sorry Terri, ashes make the soil more alkaline (ie, ashes raise soil pH or makes the soil less acidic). Ashes contain many minerals including potassium, phosphorus and calcium, as well as several micronutrients. Ashes also contain salts, so be carefull with the amount you use per square foot. I'd suggest no more than 1/2 cup per square foot.

Cabin Fever you are correct. Wood ash increases the alkalinity of the soil (raises pH). Main use of wood ash is as a liming agent. Wood ash contains less than 10% pot ash, 1% phosphate, trace amounts of Iron, boron, copper, zinc, mag.. Also contains small amounts of heavy metals, lead, cadmium, nickel and chromium. Contains No nitrogen. You need to know the pH of your soil and what the trees/plants need.

Edit: Sorry I read the post wrong, I thought Cabin Fever was correcting herself. intead of Terri.

[fordson major]

it also seems to help with insects and rodents, don't like the ash up their nose?