Our team at Five Star Tree Services wants to go over 10 commonly asked questions about tree fertilization so that if you have any of these questions, you will know the answer!
1.When is the best time of year to use fertilizer?
One of the best times to use fertilizer is after the first freeze in September or October. After that, the next time you should use fertilizer is in the spring, before any growth starts, which should be around March and early May.
2.How much fertilizer do you use on trees?
On average, you can use 1 pound of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet each year. As an example, you can get a 20-pound package that is 10-10-10 (10% nitrogen, 10% phosphate, 10% potassium) and this will cover 2,000 square feet.
3.Do you use fertilizer on young and old trees?
If you have young trees, they develop quicker than older trees. This means you can fertilize your tree once a year to help stimulate rapid growth. When you have a mature tree, you can fertilize them every 2-3 years in order to help maintain good leaf colour and vitality.
4.Can you over fertilize?
The short answer is yes. It’s possible to use too much fertilizer and damage your tree. This is especially the case if you are using large amounts of quick release nitrogen. Too much applied to the soil can result in the roots getting burned. When applied as a spray or drench, this can also burn the leaves.
5.What fertilizer do you use for root growth?
For the best root growth, some critical nutrients needed are phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. This is what helps to stimulate new roots and strengthen existing roots. When roots start to develop, phosphorus is what establishes a healthy root system.
6.Do trees grow faster with fertilizer?
Using fertilizer will promote your trees and plants to grow. It will make them taller, fuller, and healthier. Think of fertilizer for trees as vitamins are for people. It aids in adding necessary nutrients to the soil, boosting your trees’ growth and photosynthesis abilities.
7.Are you supposed to water your trees after you fertilize them?
There might be some instructions on the fertilizer container that are different and confusing but you should always water your plants thoroughly after fertilizing. You want to make sure the fertilizer is reaching past grass root growth, which is about 3 inches deep. If you have sandy soil, you don’t need to water as much but still more often than clay or loam soils.
8.What if you don’t water your trees after fertilizing them?
You should be watering immediately after you apply fertilizer. The objective of fertilizer is to nourish the soil. If you only put it on top and don’t water it, it will stay on grass blades and not sink into the soil. If you leave fertilizer on top of the soil, it will burn the grass.
9.Are you supposed to fertilize your trees in the winter?
There is no harm in fertilizing your trees in the winter, as long as it doesn’t sit on top of the soil. Adding fertilizer can help give your plants the boost they need in the spring.
10.What fertilizer can you use on delicate fruit trees?
Organic fertilizer with a high nitrogen content is great for fruit trees. You can find organic nitrogen in blood, soybeans, composted chicken manure, cotton seeds, and feather meal. You can also get specific fertilizer for fruit trees.
How Five Star Tree Services Can Help
Fertilizer is a great way to help your trees grow and thrive. If you are ever unsure about your tree care, our team at Five Star Tree Services can help! Contact us at (416) 990-3355 for our tree care services in Toronto!
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