Every experienced gardener knows that it extremely important to fertilize trees in spring. In fact, tree fertilizing in spring delivers multiple significant benefits.
It is worth noting that tree fertilizing is particularly crucial for young trees. The point is that fertilizing in spring promotes much faster tree growth. There is evidence that young trees, which are fertilized in spring, usually grow quicker and develop more successfully. That’s why tree fertilizing plays a key role in the development of young trees. Established trees can benefit from fertilization as well.
It’s important to know that fertilization has a huge positive impact on the development of tree root system. A tree with a well-developed root system can absorb much more nutrients. Thus, minerals and nutrients in the soil are utilized by a tree more effectively. Oftentimes, properly fertilized trees stay green even in the fall. However, prior to providing trees with additional nutrients in spring you need to figure out which of your trees need to be fertilized. Now, we will explain how to cope with this task successfully.
What Trees Do Need to Be Fertilized in Spring?
First of all, you need to estimate annual growth of every tree in your garden. You need to know that when a young tree grows normally it usually has up to 12 to 18 inches of branch growth every year. Also, healthy trees have leaves of dark green color on new growth.
Keep in mind that old trees grow more slowly. Obviously, you need to fertilize those trees which grow less than expected. Have you noticed that a tree changes its amount of foliage, color or size? This can be an indicator of tree development problems. So, it is a great idea to fertilize such a tree. Do you have trees which have been recently attacked by insects or had diseases? Obviously, you need to fertilize these trees first of all.
Why Spring is the Best Time to Fertilize Trees?
It’s widely known that trees and shrubs actively grow in the spring. There is no doubt that fertilization will greatly contribute to tree growth. So, a tree will develop successfully.
It is not recommended to fertilize trees in the fall. If you fertilize a tree in the fall you will make it metabolically active before cold winter season. That means that such fertilization can make a huge damage to a tree.
How to Fertilize Trees in Spring?
Without a doubt, it is incredibly important to fertilize trees in spring. However, tree fertilizing needs to be done correctly as well. Here are a few tips to help you maximize the benefits of fertilization.
Obviously, you need to use an adequate amount of fertilizer. How much fertilizer per inch should be used for small and large trees? Depending on tree size, about 1/4 – 1/2 pound of nitrogen per inch is used for fertilizing small and large trees. For small trees, it is best to use about 1/4 pound of nitrogen per inch. For larger trees, up to 1/2 pound of nitrogen per inch can be used. It’s reasonable to make holes 12 to 18 inches deep and then fill them with fertilizer. By doing so, you will help a tree absorb nutrients faster.
Fertilizing trees before rains is also a good idea. Thus, useful nutrients will be washed directly into the root zone and absorbed by a tree successfully. However, if there is no rain after fertilization you can water the fertilized area on your own.
