PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Roger Funk TI - An Introduction to Soils AID - 10.48044/jauf.1983.031 DP - 1983 May 01 TA - Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) PG - 124--127 VI - 9 IP - 5 4099 - http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/9/5/124.short 4100 - http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/9/5/124.full SO - JOA1983 May 01; 9 AB - Soil is a dynamic and complex substance composed of mineral particles, organic matter, microflora and microfauna, and pore spaces that contain air, water and dissolved nutrients. Although soils vary widely due to differences in climate, parent materials, vegetation, relief and time, certain physical and chemical characteristics are common to all soils. Arborists should have a basic understanding of these characteristics in order to properly maintain trees and shrubs.