HELP! Country-Newbie . . . pools of water in clay-like soil

[Purple Cat]

We recently moved to a rural home in E. Tennessee.   The soil is clay.  After it rains, water pools in the soil.  I'm concerned about the effect on our house because our house sits at the base of a slope, so the pools of water are very close to our home. 

I read something about adding mulch to the clay to help the soil.  Any one have experience or thoughts with this?  Would it be crazy to chop up the Christmas tree and add the fir needles to the soil where it pools?

TIA

[mattemma04]

You could try. Not sure if it will help. I had water pooling and I rerouted it.In other areas I would dig a trench and put in the black pipe with holes.I guided the water to drain elsewhere. I sitll have issues with my crawl space. Hopefully the builders of your home added drain tiles around the home to ease the water issues.With clay soils you would think they all would do that. It can be pricey to hire someone to do it.