Fertilizers give plants and trees a steady supply of nutrients that help them grow and stay healthy. You must fertilize your greens during summer for optimum results. It encourages the growth of leaves, flowers, and fruits and resists diseases and insects.
Just like humans require proper nutrition, so do trees. Fertilizers offer them the following benefits:
- Resistance to diseases
- Increased overall strength
- Robust root system
- Denser foliage
Key elements of a tree fertilizer
- Nitrogen: It promotes growth by building amino acids and gives trees their dark green color. The amino acids create proteins necessary for a tree’s overall strength and growth.
- Phosphorus: It boosts the growth of seeds, flowers, and roots, promotes cell division, and helps trees fight diseases.
- Potassium: It is the essential nutrient necessary to create chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Like phosphorus, potassium also protects trees from diseases and promotes root growth.
When to fertilize?
You must consider a tree’s age when fertilizing it. Young saplings require small amounts of quick-release fertilizer. Meanwhile, developing trees need regular fertilizer twice a year. Mature trees don’t need extra nutrients because their intricate root system can take them from the ground.
After a harsh winter, April or May is the best time to fertilize most trees. However, a damaged tree should be fertilized early, in the first spring after the damage.
Young trees and shurbs can’t absorb nutrients until they have an adequate root system. Quick absorbing fertilizer might inhibit their growth and root system. A soil test before fertilization can be useful here; it will provide more details about adjusting pH. The first fertilization season for young trees and shrubs in early spring. The next time, use light fertilizer during early summer. It is when new growth begins in most trees. Fertilization provides proper nutrients so newly developed trees can withstand winter.
Fertilize established plants either in spring before new growth starts or wait until mid-summer after shoot growth halts. It’s because trees absorb fewer nutrients during active shoot growth—between spring and early summer. Also, avoid high nitrogen fertilizers during this time as they will promote a new flush of leaves, susceptible to damage during early winter.
After a harsh winter, April or May is the best time to fertilize most trees. However, a damaged tree should be fertilized early, in the first spring after the damage.
Young trees and shurbs can’t absorb nutrients until they have an adequate root system. Quick absorbing fertilizer might inhibit their growth and root system. A soil test before fertilization can be useful here; it will provide more details about adjusting pH. The first fertilization season for young trees and shrubs in early spring. The next time, use light fertilizer during early summer. It is when new growth begins in most trees. Fertilization provides proper nutrients so newly developed trees can withstand winter.
Fertilize established plants either in spring before new growth starts or wait until mid-summer after shoot growth halts. It’s because trees absorb fewer nutrients during active shoot growth—between spring and early summer. Also, avoid high nitrogen fertilizers during this time as they will promote a new flush of leaves, susceptible to damage during early winter.
Methods of fertilization
Three standard methods of fertilization are:
Compost: Decayed organic matter acts as a natural fertilizer similar to a forest bed, providing nutrients and aiding development.
Organic: It’s non composted material from plants and animals. It’s more expensive than inorganic fertilizers but not harmful to the environment.
Inorganic: They are a popular choice for homeowners who want to give their trees the right nutrition. It’s not environment friendly, but it’s inexpensive and has a faster absorption rate than organic fertilizers.
Compost: Decayed organic matter acts as a natural fertilizer similar to a forest bed, providing nutrients and aiding development.
Organic: It’s non composted material from plants and animals. It’s more expensive than inorganic fertilizers but not harmful to the environment.
Inorganic: They are a popular choice for homeowners who want to give their trees the right nutrition. It’s not environment friendly, but it’s inexpensive and has a faster absorption rate than organic fertilizers.
About Seacoast Tree Care
We have a qualified team of certified arborists who can help keep your trees healthy. We offer a full range of tree care and removal services in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. We are experts in tree pruning, cabling, fertilizing, preservation, and root collar excavation. You can call us at 603-431-0101 or 978-225-6644 or drop an email at info@seacoasttreecare.com to know more. You can also fill up our contact form, and we will get back to you.
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