| Fertilizing your tree will provide a big impact to the | | | | fertilizers that would stimulate growth. Your |
| health of your tree in both the short term and | | | | conventional fertilizer should be applied in the fall |
| long term. More than pruning, more than any | | | | when roots are doing most of their growing. |
| other tree care service. There is a lot to know | | | | Here are some common comments I hear about |
| about tree fertilizers. This article is meant to be | | | | tree fertilizing: |
| an introduction to tree fertilizer. I highly | | | | Q: These trees were growing here long before I |
| recommend you read my three other articles in | | | | was here. They didn't need fertilizer before, why |
| this series: When to Fertilize trees, How to Apply | | | | now? |
| Fertilizers to Trees, and What Products to Use | | | | A: Ok, true. But, before you were here there was |
| for Fertilizing Trees. | | | | a natural balance of nutrient recycling. Now, the |
| You can compare tree fertilization to your own | | | | soil's litter layer is gone and replace with grass. |
| health care. Without it, you are not going to | | | | Q: Fertilizing is just going to make it grow faster, |
| wither and die tomorrow. But, with proper health | | | | then I'll have to prune it more. |
| care (fertilization regimen) your tree will have a | | | | A: We just discussed that a good fertilizer |
| healthier, more full canopy of foliage. And, if a | | | | regimen doesn't stimulate growth. Quite the |
| good fertilization regimen is follow for a few | | | | opposite, healthier trees will produce fewer dead |
| consecutive years, sick trees can return to a | | | | limbs over time, therefore, reducing pruning needs. |
| healthy state and regain extended life expectancy. | | | | Q: I don't like putting chemicals in my yard. |
| One of the biggest misconceptions I find people | | | | A: You shouldn't. But, what are you considering as |
| to have is a perception that tree fertilization | | | | chemical? Fertilizers are less harsh that virtually |
| mostly make a tree grow faster. I can see | | | | any cleaning supply you use and you actually get |
| where someone would come to this conclusion. | | | | that stuff all over your hands and up your nose. |
| Most of us get our experience in fertilizers from | | | | And, if you get your timing right you can reduce |
| grass fertilizing. Grass fertilizers do result in faster | | | | your application rate dramatically. We target about |
| growing grass. Trees are different that grass. | | | | ¼ lb nitrogen per medium sized tree per year. |
| Grass is in a constant state of growth and trees | | | | That's 12 times less that what is recommended |
| only grow a few times a year; we call these | | | | for 1000 sq. ft. of lawn. Every other product we |
| growth increments flushes. The ultimate goal with | | | | use is not chemical at all (see my article on what |
| trees is to time the right treatments so that | | | | products to use for trees). |
| roots are stimulated to grow faster, but foliage is | | | | One last topic I want to discuss before leaving is |
| stimulated to develop better (not grow faster). | | | | soil restructuring. Many of the trees if our urban |
| Timing is critical. Here are the basics you need to | | | | environment get left with small little islands of soil |
| know about timing: most root growth takes place | | | | to grow from. There is a tool called an air-spade |
| in the fall; most foliage growth takes place in early | | | | we use to air-till the soil and mix organic matter in. |
| spring; there is not much growth in the middle of | | | | Tilling with this over-powered air compressor |
| the "growing season." With this knowledge you | | | | allows us to till the soil without destroying all the |
| should be able to deduct that fertilizing in the | | | | tree roots. This treatment is a huge improvement |
| summer would be a waste of time. During the | | | | to the soil structure and is great for all trees, |
| spring you should use unconventional treatments | | | | especially those in limited rooting environments. |
| to stimulate healthy development not conventional | | | | |