Am I doing this wrong?

Hi from Australia.

I am in a sub tropical area with about 850mm rain avg

I have 10 acres and very hard clay soil that chokes trees when raining and cracks everywhere when dry.

I have about 50 trees that go ok nothing special  

Since my land is sloped lightly I dug a trench 20m long 23 inch deep and about 18 inch wide up top

I filled it with lantana, box thorn and red gum hardwood branches.

Threw in excess eggs and food scraps with cow manure fresh.

Filled it mostly flat with a small speed hump look

The thinking was great soil life and food up top over time that will flow down and share the love with more land.

Some one told me though it was a bad idea as clay soil won't let in oxygen to break down the wood?

Was it too much effort for little gain?


Also I have 2 jack fruits that are 2 years old and barely any growth.

I have composted and water well enough.

So I dug a similar spec trench around the tree in a square shape about 2m out from trunk and did the same.

The thinking was that the roots would grow out to this trench full of food making the tree established and healthy.

I am curious if this will work.

I have a few more bare rooted cherries coming in the next few weeks and I was planning on digging about 80cm deep filling 30cm with wood and green manure and then placing clay in and planting it slightly raised about 20cm high.

I don't want to be caught out with a well drowning the tree in 2 years though.

Thanks.

Welcome to Permies David.  Great to see your first post.
It sounds like your soil is what is called sodic - yoghurt or concrete, nothing in between.
We have the same and have just started to  get some real success using  hugal beets learned from here.  https://permies.com/t/179946/Cool-pics-info-tiny-keyhole
and  Ruth Stout method of adding organic matter: https://permies.com/t/178369/permaculturalists-fertilizer-shortage-concern
When you get time, get onto the Aussie forum and say hi to the down under crowd. https://permies.com/f/51/australasia?
The biggy is mulch, mulch and more mulch. and plant above the clay not into it.  Good luck.
Looking forward to seeing some pics and progress.
Again, welcome.
Cheers
Paul

A soil test would show what is missing from the soil.
You have expansive clay, which has its own special problems
From can-fruit-trees-grow-in-clay-soil/
Fruit trees can grow in clay soil as long as it drains well. However, it’s generally best to avoid planting in clay soil due to its poor drainage and alkalinity. Instead, plant fruit trees on 1 to 2-foot mounds of garden soil on top of the ground and add 1-foot of mulch. Expand the mound as the tree grows.
From Planning to work with clay

Soil scientists agree that clay soils were deposited by water flowing over rock, causing physical weathering.
Clay minerals are actually tiny rocks and crystals that pack together tightly for a nutrient-rich, yet dense soil that doesn't shed water quickly.
The problem with tightly-packed clay soil particles is that most plant roots do best in rich, well-drained, loamy soils that have plenty of air pockets, or macropores.
Their tiny feeder roots need to be able to access oxygen, water and micronutrients through these larger-sized pores.
Many plants will actually drown if planted in heavy clay soil, because it tends to stay waterlogged for a long period of time.

Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like you are off to a great start.

Keep adding whatever you have to that bed.

Do you have access to wood chips or rotten hay?  The rotten hay comes with all kinds of great fungi.

These threads might offer some suggestions for you or others:

https://permies.com/t/120453/Great-Wood-Chips

https://permies.com/t/102935/soil-food-network-works

Have you begun making compost?

My next suggestion would be to read the Soil Series:

https://permies.com/wiki/redhawk-soil