After being in the Ozarks earlier this week, I got to see the natural way nature covers the ground. The soil seemed rich, but taking it out of the forest would just seem wrong to me. Instead I would try to follow nature and amend the soil the way I seen it there. It may take a little time and more effort, but it can be done.

Even if you did take it, it would only help your garden for the short time, before it became like the rest of the soil. Use your grass and leaves and veggie scraps to make a good humus for your garden.

eggle, thanks but I think that s exactly what mother nature is doing, naturlly. I do have compost barrels and piles ,mostly oak leaves.But this soil is about 2 years ahead of my way of composting. Looking for people that uses this method . I would never take soil out of the national forrest, not sure what is in it. bill w

Unless you own the land the forest is on removing most anything can be illegal.

Kimmsr,It is on my land , Just looking for people that have tried this and with what sucess. The soil is brown , almost black , no weeds but I need to check PNP. thanks bill

Bill W asks:

"Has anyone dug up the top 2 inches in a oak tree forest and used in your garden? And or mixed with compost pile?"

The short answer to your question is yes, I have been motivated to try your idea. The results were excellent, yet there were two concerns that came to the surface. One was the tree roots that were growing in the soil; the other was weed seeds that were buried in the soil. Were it not for those two things I would have continued to take all I wanted. On the other hand, the thought of finding kudzu growing in my garden and compost piles motivated this gardener to stick to making compost for the garden minus the forest duff.

I understand the feeling one gets looking at all that beautiful soil laying there, but the effort was not worth it in the end IMO. As some of us have found out from using oak leaves in our mulches and compost, the rich soil that results from composting is a great medium for acorns as well. Pulling the occasional seedling is no big thing compared to the compost created. However, kudzu, poison ivy/oak/sumac are a different monster all together. The forest soil is exceptional and does last a lot longer than has been stated in my beds, yet a soil that is just as good if not better can be had with a little patience and physical effort. The decision is yours; I trust experience will be your guide in the endÂ

Blutranes

Blutranes thanks for the info, I'm trying out one bed to see results.The weed seeds was a concern and i do have poison ivy all over the place. tks. bill