So I've been clearing up a field and thinking about what to do with it. I was thinking I might try planting some pecan trees as a test. See how they do over the course of a year.
One thing I've been reading, however, is that to get good yield from pecan trees you need a soil depth of at least 32 inches.
What does that mean exactly? I've got a trash pit on the edge of the field so I can kind of see (at least in that spot) where the black earth stops and grey caliche clay begins.
At least in this spot, it seems to range from 24 to 28 inches from the surface.
Pic:
I'm guessing soil depth, for my purposes, does not include the grey stuff. It is somewhat hard. Or maybe it does? I don't really have any tree experience.
The literature I'm reading recommends 35 feet between trees for spacing. So if I had to add topsoil, we're talking about 962 sq ft per tree (17.5' radius circle). Assuming a depth of 6 inches, that's 160 cubic yards per tree.
I have big trucks I can move soil with (sadly, nothing dump). But I'm guessing that option would be cost prohibitive unless I could get it for practically free.
Thoughts?