Do Trees Even Need Fertilizer?
Do Trees Even Need Fertilizer?You can google this question and come up with extremely different results. Some people swear that all backyard trees should get fertilizer at least once per year, while others will insist the whole concept is a scam. The truth is that here in Cincinnati, some trees do not require fertilizer because they get the needed nutrients from the soil. However, many of the trees in our area do require fertilizer to avoid malnutrition and potential disease. Using fertilizer where it isn’t needed is a costly waste that can have a negative environmental impact, but skipping it where it should be used can cause your trees to struggle unnecessarily.
If you’re unsure which of your trees could benefit from fertilizer, and which would do better without, we can help. The color of the foliage is one sign that trees may need fertilization — yellow or “off-color” leaves may be a sign that fertilization is required. Keep in mind that some trees naturally have “off-color” leaves. Trees such as Honey Locust and some maple and ash trees will have “off-color’ leaves in the fall, even when they’re in good health. Another sign is that the new shoots on the tree are less than two inches high.
How Do I Know If My Trees Need Fertilization?
The absolute best way to determine if fertilization is needed for your tree is to have the soil tested. Dig down a few inches and take a soil sample from the area where the roots are seeking nutrients. The soil test results will not only show whether fertilization is required, but it will also show the type of fertilizer needed. Keep in mind that fertilizer can be harmful to trees if the wrong kind is applied, or if the quantity applied is too high.
If you want to apply a fertilizer because you see signs that it is needed, but you don’t want the specificity of a soil test, then you should apply a fertilizer that contains phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium and some micro-elements, like magnesium and iron. It is best to use a combination of slow and quick release nitrogen for maximum intake by the roots.
Other than a soil test, the most reliable indicator of the need for fertilizer for established Cincinnati trees is the new shoot growth. If the new growth is more than 6 inches, then the tree probably does not need fertilizer. If new shoot growth is less than 2 inches, then an application of a high nitrogen fertilizer application would most likely be appropriate.
The history of the maintenance of the yard is also a consideration in determining the need for fertilization. If the grass near the trees has been fertilized regularly, then the trees may not require fertilization since they will get nutrients from the lawn fertilizer.
If you’re just starting on your fertilizer journey, it can be difficult to determine the kind of fertilizer needed and the appropriate application rates. Tree service experts can not only do the work to figure out the best fertilizer type for your trees, but they can fertilize your trees with liquid fertilizer that is injected into the tree’s root zone at high pressure. This system serves to aerate the soil and breaks up compacted soil in the process of adding fertilizer. This creates a greater ability for the soil to absorb the nutrients and more oxygen is simultaneously delivered to the tree root system. This process supplies fertilizer throughout the entire root system and fertilizes the roots immediately.
Cincinnati Tree Fertilization Options
Our Cincinnati tree service here at Tree Images is readily available to examine your trees and advise you if any fertilization is required, and if so, which kind would be optimal. Tree Images is comprised of trained and skilled team members who can observe conditions that might escape the attention of the homeowner. We’re here to help your trees – just give us a call for more information about what we can do for you.
