Is it safe to plant edible plants and fruit trees in the area where railroad ties used to be? - Ask Extension
We have several railroad ties that have been in the yard for about 5 years. We are taking them out now. Is it safe to plant edible plants and fruit tr...
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Is it safe to plant edible plants and fruit trees in the area where railroad ties used to be? #211003
Asked September 06, 2014, 2:39 AM EDT
We have several railroad ties that have been in the yard for about 5 years. We are taking them out now. Is it safe to plant edible plants and fruit trees in the area where the railroad ties used to be? Do I need to get the soil tested? The trees would be planted about 2 feet from where the ties were.
Uinta County Wyoming
Expert Response
The answer to your question is not necessarily a straightforward yes or no. Research is not conclusive on the amount of creosote that plants can absorb from the roots. However, because of this, it is usually not wise to plant edible plants near railroad ties.
Secondly, it would depend on your soil type as to how much and how long the creosote would be present in your soils. You can do a soil test to find this information, but chemical residue testing does not come with a standard soil test and can be much more expensive.
An EPA study suggested that compounds from creosote typically do not readily move in soil, so it is likely that the creosote will be isolated to the original site of the ties. So, depending on the size of the edible plants, 2 feet may be far enough away for small root systems. However, trees would certainly have root systems that would be greater than 2 feet. Your final decision is really a decision of risk tolerance.
If you would like additional help on this topic, give me a call at<personal data hidden> or stop by the office at 228 9th Street in Evanston.
Secondly, it would depend on your soil type as to how much and how long the creosote would be present in your soils. You can do a soil test to find this information, but chemical residue testing does not come with a standard soil test and can be much more expensive.
An EPA study suggested that compounds from creosote typically do not readily move in soil, so it is likely that the creosote will be isolated to the original site of the ties. So, depending on the size of the edible plants, 2 feet may be far enough away for small root systems. However, trees would certainly have root systems that would be greater than 2 feet. Your final decision is really a decision of risk tolerance.
If you would like additional help on this topic, give me a call at<personal data hidden> or stop by the office at 228 9th Street in Evanston.
