Advice on Tree Planting Strategy

Hey Permies,

So as much as I would love to wait for cover crop to rebuild all of my semi-dead & top soil eroded 99% clay soil on a plot I just purchased, I have a dozen trees I need to get into the ground this winter so they don’t become root bound in their pots… any larger transplanted pot and it would be a nightmare for me to try to plant out as I am a tiny human :-). So unfortunately time (and often gravity) are not on my side. Also, I am zone 10a so winter is our season to plant trees so we catch the spring rain and establish before the summer heat.

The question I have for you is how should I got about this in the least destructive and cheapest way. What I am thinking is the following:

• Mark out 6ft ring for each of the trees that need immediate planting.
• Broadcast some gypsum.
• Auger about 1ft just to break up the clay and backfill.
• Plant tree 1/2 way in hole for stability and then mound with custom mix. (The soil guy I buy from makes a nice loamy-compost mix).
• Cover rest of 6ft area with the custom mix.
• Mulch 3″.
• Connect drip lines to perimeter.

I was also thinking to making make that JADAM inoculant too.

Does this sound like a decent plan given the situation?

Thanks so much in advance for taking the time to read.