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Name: Ed
Status: other
Grade: 12+
Location: CA
Country: USA
Date: Spring 2010
Question:
The older folks in our area, northern Ca, believe that grapes won't grow well where oak trees have been, that the soil is altered or contaminated even after the trees have been removed. Fact or fiction?


Replies:
Actually the organic matter from oak trees is a useful soil ingredient for growing grapes according to this source:

http://www.gardenadvice.co.uk/howto/fruit/grapevine/index.html

However, there can be other factors such as fungi on roots of existing, currently growing oak trees which can be harmful to grapes:

http://www.ajevonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/34/2/117

In general though, here's a guide to selecting a site for growing grapes:

http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hort/faculty/pool/NYSite-Soils/SiteSelection.html

http://www.gardenguides.com/100684-choose-grape-planting-locations.html

http://www.oregonvineyardland.com/growing_grapes.htm

Anthony R. Brach, PhD
Missouri Botanical Garden


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