Advice about how to undo what my teenage son did...
by
Renee
+9
The situation: I have six large shrubs shaped in a triangle in my backyard along a tall iron fence. The shrubs were there when I moved in and I was saving this space to plant wild flower mix.
The problem: I was on holiday last November when my son and his friends decided to fry a turkey. Not knowing what to do with the left-over oil, the dumped it ...in the middle of my shrubs...!!!! (I will leave out the expletives) Needless to say the shrubs are dying.
The question: Once I dig up the shrubs, is there anything I can do to the soil to make it usable again?
Thanks in advance!
One frustrated Momma!
The problem: I was on holiday last November when my son and his friends decided to fry a turkey. Not knowing what to do with the left-over oil, the dumped it ...in the middle of my shrubs...!!!! (I will leave out the expletives) Needless to say the shrubs are dying.
The question: Once I dig up the shrubs, is there anything I can do to the soil to make it usable again?
Thanks in advance!
One frustrated Momma!
12 answers
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Don't think the oil did it unless they boiled the roots with hot oil. If I were in the situation I would contact your local agriculture Dept, It is free.
Ellen Dunlap
on Apr 18, 2014
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Thanks Ellen! That didn't occur to me. I appreciate you.
Renee
on Apr 18, 2014
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I agree with Ellen that is unlikely that amount of oil is causing the decline of six large shrubs. Have you dug where they poured the oil? I doubt that you would find a trace of it.
Douglas Hunt
on Apr 19, 2014
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If it was still boiling when thney dumped it, yes, that could kill the trees. But the soil should be fine. Did the trees die instantly, or has this been gradual? There is a fungus that will cause the trees to drop needles and leave bare branches the second year. If there is no air clearance under the trees, fungus thrives. I nearly lost 27 alberta spruce trees. We had to spray all of them (some 12 feet tall) and trim back at least 18" at the bottom of the trunk.
Sally Roesner Fuhr
on Apr 19, 2014
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It was the oil itself whether it was boiling or not. The oil will suffocate the shrubs and kill them, cooking oil will also kill grass. Remove the shrubs, dig out the old soil and dump fresh garden soil back in place. There is nothing beneficial leaving the oil there.
Susan Shiptoski
on Apr 19, 2014
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Thanks everyone! I noticed the die back right away. They started wilting and then shriveled right where the oil was dumped. And gradually over the next three months they have died completely. The dirt is still a little oily down about 3" down in the spot where he dumped it and graduates out. @Susan Shiptoski , that is exactly what it looks like happened - suffocation!
Renee
on Apr 19, 2014
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It seems there is nothing to do but clean out the mess...that is get your son and his friends over to dig out this mess...HA!...and start over. Good luck. And tell son to eat out next time you leave the house!
Jeanette S
on Apr 20, 2014
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I agree, they need to dig out the soil, They need to purchase new soil for it and replace your shrubs for you.
Cynthia E
on Apr 20, 2014
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@Jeanette S @Cynthia E - I totally agree and they are already working on it :0) Thanks again for the help!
Renee
on Apr 21, 2014
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Yes, just get rid of the soil. :-D
Susan Shiptoski
on Apr 23, 2014
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Thanks @Susan Shiptoski
Renee
on Apr 23, 2014
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:-D
Susan Shiptoski
on Apr 23, 2014
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