#files_about_trees

[yardenercom]

Things You Should Do To Achieve Fertilizing Trees

To fertilize trees effectively, it is important to understand how their roots are structured. A tree's root zone spreads over an area about a third again larger than the breadth of its branches. The larger roots are near the trunk and the small fibrous hair roots are farthest away.

The Main Meal

Yardeners should not apply fertilizer too close to the trunk of a tree. Use ½ pound of slow-acting fertilizer for each ½ inch of trunk diameter. Spread the fertilizer within an area 1-1/2 times the size of the area under the tree's drip line.

Calculate Fertilizer Area

Homeowners should use a standard slow release all-purpose granulated fertilizer for more satisfactory results. Tree spikes, sold to fertilize trees, are not effective in providing a large tree with all the nutrients it needs. Sprinkle this on the soil over the root zone, and decide how much fertilizer is needed.

1. Estimate the number of feet from the base of the trunk to the farthest edge of the root zone. This may be a foot or two beyond the reach of the longest branches.

2. Multiply this distance by itself to arrive at a number of square feet.

3. Since most general purpose fertilizer packages indicate amounts needed for every 1000 square feet, it is easy to calculate from this how much fertilizer is necessary for a specific tree.

Every spring apply 0.05 pounds of nitrogen for each year of the tree's age. Start when the tree is three years old; once it reaches ten years, stop increasing the dose. Too much nitrogen will result in soft fruit with a washed-out color and insipid flavor.

For information about the various kinds of fertilizers go to Fertilizers in the Tool Shed section.

Snacks and Vitamins

You can give your young trees optional "snacks" and "vitamins" to boost growth. These compounds are applied as foliar sprays that are absorbed directly through leaf tissue instead of through the roots. Fish emulsion is best, but there are many others that are satisfactory. Use a compression sprayer and any water-soluble garden fertilizer to apply them.

What About Tree Spikes?

The most common fertilizer sold in nurseries is available in the form of "spikes". They look like tent pegs and are designed to be pounded into the soil around the tree. Spikes tend to concentrate the nutrition in a few small areas, out of reach of the many widespread roots. Granulated fertilizer can be spread more evenly and is less expensive than spikes.

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