Optimum Soil pH Ranges

A Technical Report from The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories

Soil pH affects the nutrient uptake ability of trees and shrubs. When pH values are above or below the optimum range, the uptake of certain nutrients is limited. This will affect the physiology of the plant and can result in obvious nutrient deficiencies, weakening of the plant’s ability to defend itself against certain insects or diseases, and/or make it more susceptible to some abiotic disorders. Soil pH is determined with a soil nutrient analysis or with in-field test of the soil. The most accurate and in-depth soil analysis is obtained by submitting a soil sample for testing to a specialized laboratory.