Written by Admin and published on https://blog.davey.com/

Ideally, growing trees should be fertilized throughout the year but a bit differently as trees age. A tree needs larger amounts of nitrogen (N) based fertilizer during the growing season. Nitrogen-based solutions should be applied during the early spring and summer months.

Several light applications a year are preferred as the tree gets older to a point where they need very little fertilizer. A soil test may be needed to determine the amounts of phosphorus (P), potassium (K). Read the label for proper ratios and application rates of N, P, and K for trees.

You want your tree to be its best. To grow larger. To live longer. To look better.

For that to happen, you need to care for it throughout the seasons. Water it during dry spells. Mulch in the spring. And, fertilize your tree when it lacks nutrients.

When you fertilize your trees, you replace the necessary minerals and nutrients that are missing from the soil.

YOUR TREE FERTILIZATION GUIDE

Look no further for everything you should know about when to fertilize a tree, why you should definitely do it and how to select the best fertilizer.

WHY SHOULD I FERTILIZE MY TREE?

Fertilizer helps trees stay healthy and vigorous.

Trees are tough, but that doesn’t stop outside stressors from trying to shake them. Fertilization gives trees important nutrients, supports tree growth, and contributes to the overall health and vigor of a tree.

DOES MY TREE NEED TO BE FERTILIZED?

In forests, soils have nutrients galore. In our yards, that’s not often the case.

As we sweep away leaves, twigs and fallen bark, we’re removing potential recycling of nutrients for the soil. Additionally, the grass around our trees is unnatural and often outcompetes trees for available nutrients and water. That’s why we need to fertilize our trees with a slow-release fertilizer – to mimic nature.

Look for signs that your tree is lacking nutrients in the soil.

If you see these signs, fertilization can be part of a holistic approach to restoring your plant’s health.

  • Shorter than normal annual twig growth
  • Undersized leaves that are fewer in number
  • Dead branches and branch tips
  • Leaf veins darker than leaf margins
  • Leaves any other than dark green, such as yellow or purple

If your trees are experiencing any of the above symptoms, have your local arborist inspect the tree, test the soil, and provide an official diagnosis.

WHEN IS THE IDEAL TIME TO FERTILIZE TREES?

At Davey, we fertilize with Arbor Green PRO® and Arbor Green Xtra plus B

With these formulas, you don’t have to worry about “the best time to fertilize.” The fertilizers are designed to slowly release nutrients uniformly over time, regardless of when they’re applied.

Still, fertilizing in certain seasons does bring benefits.

Fertilizing in fall…

  • Helps recover nutrients the soil lost during summertime.
  • Promotes root growth during the winter (as long as the soil is not frozen)

Fertilizing in spring…

  • Supports a new flush of growth during the quintessential growing season.
  • Greens up tree leaves so they stay vibrant through summer and into fall.
  • Supplies essential nutrients that keep the tree healthy and help it fight off infection.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FERTILIZER FOR MY TREE

Find a tree fertilizer with a slow (also called controlled) release and low salt index. And, look for a product that’s best suited for your region.

In the Northern and Western regions, Davey arborists use Arbor Green PRO®. It blends three key macro-nutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), to mimic the natural environment and give trees the nutrients they need to thrive. Arbor Green PRO® also contains PPA, an amino acid that helps enhance nutrient availability while reducing nutrient loss from rain or watering.

Trees in the Southeast region are a little different. They can be lacking the macro-nutrients mentioned above, but they’re also often faced with a micro-nutrient deficiency, meaning essentials like potassium, magnesium, manganese or boron are in short supply. Scientists at The Davey Institute created Arbor Green Xtra plus B to address that. It combines all the nutrients—both macro and micro—that Southern trees need to look and grow their best.

Original post here https://blog.davey.com/2016/05/what-when-and-why-the-best-way-to-fertilize-trees/.

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