Tree Fertilization

Why Fertilize Your Trees? Arbor Plant Health Care’s certified Arborists have complied a complete guide to fertilization for trees in the HRM, Halifax, Dartmouth, and surrounding communities. See the lists below for a detailed, point-form outline of tree fertilization.

• Fertilizing is an important part of almost any plant health care program.
• Trees often need supplemental fertilization in order to maintain vigor so they will be able to resist environmental stress and pests.
• Like Humans, trees need a certain levels of nutrients to stay healthy.
• If there are not sufficient amounts of nutrients available, a tree may become stressed, making it vulnerable to insects and diseases.

Is Fertilizer Needed?

• Fertilization requirements can be determined through a soil test.
• Landscape trees are often planted in an area of low fertility.
• Nutrient cycle is broken in most landscape settings.
• In a forest setting nutrients are recycled through decomposing branches, grasses, and leaves.
• In most landscapes branches are picked up, grass clippings are collected, and leaves are raked.
• This debris contains Nitrogen which is often a limiting nutrient used in the growth of a tree.

When to Fertilize?

• If timing of tree fertilization is not correct it may harm the tree.
• Fall & early spring are the two most optimum times to fertilize.
• This is a time when there is plenty of water to help trees absorb nutrients.
• Soil temperature is still warm enough to allow roots to take up minerals.
• If fertilizer is applied in the fall nutrients are stored for next spring.

Fertilizer Types

• Organic or inorganic.
• Organic fertilizers are derived from plant and animal sources.
• Organic fertilizers are slow release, releasing nutrients over a longer period of time.
• Inorganic are quick release and release nutrients relatively quickly and can cause fertilizer burn if not applied properly.

There are a number of methods used to apply fertilizers such as surface broadcasting, drill hole, or soil injection. Whatever method or type of fertilizer is used, remember that fertilization can be very important to the health of the tree if applied correctly. It can also be an essential asset to a proper plant health care program.

We hope you enjoyed this tree care article. Click here for more articles from Arbor Plant Health Care.