The Relationship of Sod Proximity to the Growth and Nutrient Composition of Newly Planted Peach Trees

Vegetation-free squares, ranging in size from 0.6 m to 3.6 m/side, were established around young peach [ Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] trees planted in a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) sod. Tree growth increased as the size of the vegetation-free area increased. Tree growth was found to be closely related to leaf Ν levels. Low levels of leaf nutrients developed from both increased proximity of sod, reducing tree growth in the smallest squares (leaf Cu < 7 ppm), and rapid tree growth, exceeding the soil’s capacity to supply Mg (leaf Mg < 0.40%) when proximity was reduced in the largest squares.