Planting Holly Trees, what kind of soil.

[DaveH3]

I want to create a hedge at the bottom of my garden out of Holly Trees and Blackthorn, but at the moment there is a large Rhodedendron in the way that has been there for twenty years or so. Will I need to treat the soil with anything after removing the Rhodedendron or will it be OK to plant the Hollies and Blackthorn in the same soil that the Rhody has covered all these years. Any advice greatfully accepted. Thanks.

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Dave,
The method I would use to get rid of the rhodo, would be to cut it down to leave a level stump/s then treat the cut sufices with a product such as 'Rootout' or 'Amcide'.
Drill some holes into the cut surfice/s, close to the edges (cambium layer) this will help it to penatrate more easily, cover with some polythene to seal it in and it will translocate through the plant tisue without affecting the soil.

Sounds like your into wildlife gardening, a man after my own heart! Good Luck Tbird+