DRILL 2 FILL

What occurs with standard, outdated planting methods? The reality is that in Europe today, due to improper planting techniques, most newly planted trees sink into the ground by 20 to 40 cm within the first six months. It is common to observe newly planted trees where the root collar is not visible, indicating that they have been planted too deeply. This issue arises from digging excessively deep planting holes, using loose peat and compost substrates, and insufficient compaction of the substrate during planting. With organic substrates, decomposition begins within three months, breaking down into tiny particles that the plant utilizes for growth, resulting in a loss of volume in the substrate. Consequently, the root ball sinks into the soil. To conceal this, gardeners often bury the sunken sapling and level the soil with the surrounding area, creating an appearance of normalcy. Some even create small compost mounds around the trunk. Since trees breathe through their bark, having bark from the root collar upward buried in the soil is inappropriate. This leads to gradual suffocation and decay of the tree. Additionally, the risk of pathogenic fungal attacks increases due to the buried bark. To make matters worse, research indicates that a tree sunken 30 cm into the ground requires 80 to 120 liters of water per square meter of surface area beneath its canopy to saturate the top 30 cm of soil, while the roots below that layer receive no water at all. This means that such sunken trees are also suffering from drought due to a lack of water!

The irrigation of tree seedlings today is not adapted to climate change. Typically, a micro-drip irrigation tube is placed in a narrow circle around the trunk at the soil surface. This method encourages root growth upwards and within a limited area beneath the irrigation, failing to promote deep rooting. Therefore, in our new irrigation approach, we introduce water at the bottom of the planting hole to stimulate the growth and expansion of roots downward. All the aforementioned planting and irrigation mistakes lead to the drying out of newly planted trees, not to mention the costs associated with replanting and the lost years and growth of the trees.

The application of the DRILL 2 FILL method by HERBAFERTIL® dictates that the planting ball must not sink into the soil, as the depth of the planting hole matches the height of the planting ball. To facilitate rapid and deep root establishment, four holes, each 35 cm deep, are drilled at the bottom of the planting hole alongside the planting ball. These holes are filled with four bags of Herbafertil®, which promote healthy root growth and quicker establishment, thereby reducing the risk of windthrow for the tree seedling. Watering through a narrow perforated drainage pipe at the base of the planting hole encourages deep root development, minimizes evaporation of the applied water, and ensures its prolonged presence in the soil. Additionally, the holes containing Herbafertil® allow for drainage of excess moisture from the planting hole during wet conditions. In dry periods, the tree can draw water from the Herbafertil® bags, which retain moisture. The loose composition of Herbafertil® also facilitates gas exchange within the tree’s root system, making it more difficult for pathogenic fungi and microorganisms to thrive in the soil.