By Salfordian
United Kingdom 
I dug a hole, to plant a tree, and poured a few gallons of water into it. Today, there is still water in the bottom of it. Here in the New Forest we had ten months of rain followed by a blistering summer, so why has the water not dispersed?
4 Aug, 2013
Answers
Bad drainage for either of the reasons given by Pamg.
4 Aug, 2013
We've got that here Bulba, 6" topsoiland 12'. ( at least) yellow clay......the trees seem to like it though......
breaking up the bottom of the hole, lots of organic matter, some gravel or grit for those who like well drained helps......but after a lot of wet weather post holes for fences still fill with water.....
4 Aug, 2013
Thanks for the suggestions Pamg and Bulbaholic: clay seems to be the answer.
4 Aug, 2013
Possibly a high water table, is it clay soil?
4 Aug, 2013