Comfrey question

[greatgreenfarm]

I have some Bocking #4 comfrey root cuttings that I purchased to plant underneath a 4-5 year old peach tree but the guy that I bought them from sent extra.  I was wondering if I could plant those extras around a 1-2 year old crab apple whip that I just planted yesterday.  Should I wait for that tree to mature some so the comfrey doesn't compete with the baby tree for nutrients or will they co-exist nicely?

[Deleted]

I am not an expert, but will share what I know about comfrey. I have found it to be hard to keep localized and once it spreads, it's difficult to remove it all. It can be controlled, it just takes time and a watchful eye. I like it and it looks nice (especially because I can't kill it) And, my animals like the treat.

I would wait as it spreads wildly and I think it may take over the young tree.

[Deleted]

Keep in mind the mature drip line and plant there. While they won't spread by seed, the root fragments are all vital - you don't want a nice spacing for a few years and then find they're too far under the tree - it'll be too late to dig them out.

And in good caution wait until you observe a full root structure on the tree before you introduce competition. It's not nutrients, but water that will be the early stress.

The Bocking #4 root cuttings I got from Lori Christie escaped to the ground through the holes in a 1/2 gallon grow pot. The plants can be completely cut off with no seeming set back - I just cut out the bloom stalk when it's done for more pretty pink flowers.

[greatgreenfarm]

Thanks for the responses! I think I'll hold off on planting under the new tree as I'm not sure what type of crab it is and therefore no idea of where the mature drip line will be.