Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:36:52 -0400
From: Sam Groce
Subject: RE: Pasture “holes” question
In response to Suzette call for an explanation about the “big holes” that are appearing in her horse pastures, there is very little information here to go on, however, my first guess is that there were tree stumps there that have rotten and now any soil that was spread across the top of the stump is settling down.
A few questions that would clarify this situation better are:
What is the general circumference of the settled holes?
How long ago was this pasture cleared?
Were the tree stumps completely removed or were they cut at ground level and covered with “topsoil”?
Was a stump grinder used? Many times when a stump grinder is used they grind up the stump, place the sawdust back in the hole and then cover with soil.
On our clay soils in the piedmont, plus the deep ground water and the fact over the past 18 months we have been considerably below normal rainfall would rule out any type of sink hole. Horses will paw at the ground, but I’ve never seen one really dig a hole. Therefore, I really think it has something to do with decaying wood left in the ground.
Sam Groce
Samuel E. Groce
Extension Agent – Agriculture
Livestock & Forages, Field Crops, Pesticide Education
Chatham County Center
N.C. Cooperative Extension
North Carolina State University
45 South Street
Post Office Box 279
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Telephone: 919.542.8202 FAX: 919.542.8246
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