When the right plant is growing in the right place, I trust its capacity to feed itself. What it needs from my intervention is a rich, vital, nourishing medium to mine for essential elements. It knows how much potassium it needs, and how much zinc; it doesn't need me to tell it. Annual tissue analysis confirms for me that a healthy soil contains virtually all the elements a tree needs, and in sufficient amounts. Let the tree, then, take as much as it wishes. We apply lots of compost to the field (not just within the dripline of the tree). We use horse manure (lots of horses hereabouts) and composted trimmings from local public works departments.

We concentrate on getting strong stands of clover. Hykon rose clover works very well here, as do various subterranean clovers (Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, a great organic supply store, has a blend particularly suited to our terroir). We also work to keep the topsoil moist, to encourage the activity of earthworms and microbes. We apply foliar sprays--mostly fish emulsion and kelp--at intervals through the season as a boost.