Tree Fertilizing FAQ
Have you heard of deep root fertilizing and wondered why you would bother when your tree appears to be healthy? Or maybe you have wondered what fertilizing looks like when it comes to trees. If you have - you are not alone. There are a number of questions that come up when we talk about fertilizing and we wanted to share our responses with you.
My tree looks healthy - why do I need to fertilize?
In Urban environments, although trees look healthy they are most always surviving - not thriving. There are simply not enough nutrients in the soil to sustain trees properly for their entire lifespan. This is due to a number of things including soil compaction, all of the grass absorbing nutrients before they get to the tree roots, lack of leaves and bio matter turning into a compost for the trees as well as topsoil being removed when neighbourhoods are being built.
Fertilizing replaces these naturally occurring nutrients in a way that makes them readily available for the roots to absorb, promoting tree health and allowing it to build its defences against disease, foreign pests or environmental stressors such as drought.
How often should I fertilize my tree?
Typically, we recommend fertilizing annually to ensure the soil's nutrient profile remains strong.
Will fertilizing my tree keep it from dying?
In all cases, fertilizing promotes overall tree health. Healthy trees are less susceptible to the effects of many insects, diseases or environmental stressors.
If your tree happens to already have an ailment where the use of fungicides or pesticides is not a preferred method of treatment, fertilizing (though it will not cure the disease itself), can be a viable option to help prolong the tree's lifespan.
When should we fertilize?
Typically fertilizers containing Nitrogen (which promotes new growth) are preferred only for spring and summer applications as fall applications can promote new tissue growth that is more susceptible to damage during winter conditions. For fall applications we use a lower Nitrogen fertilizer that will set the tree up with the nutrients it needs without pushing out new tissue right before winter. At Millennial Tree Care we use a fertilizer specifically designed for trees and shrubs that contains slow release nitrogen to ensure your plants are getting small amounts of nitrogen throughout the year.
Can’t I just use the fertilizer spikes from the landscaping store?
Fertilizer spikes are usually not recommended by arborists for fertilizing trees as it is difficult to control the rate they release the fertilizer to the soil. When using the spikes, the fertilizer remains very local to the entry point in the soil, meaning the roots would have to grow towards the fertilizer. Millennial Tree Care's deep root fertilizing system delivers high pressure water containing the already-dissolved fertilizer directly to the root zone so the roots can readily absorb it. The high pressure system we use has the added benefits of aerating and hydrating the soil around the injection site as well.
What kind fertilizer do you use?
At Millennial Tree Care (MTC) we use a slow release fertilizer specifically designed for Trees and shrubs. The nutrients in the fertilizer bond to the soil and release nitrogen slowly over a period of about twelve months. Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium are three of the main nutrients needed for good plant health. Nitrogen promotes new shoot growth, Phosphorus supports root development and Potassium helps your plants deal with stress.
Biofertilizer, approved for organic farming, is available for those wanting to go the organic route or whose vegetable gardens may also absorb some fertilizer meant for the trees.
Is your slow release fertilizer safe for my vegetable garden?
If your garden is within the rootzone of the tree we recommend and carry a biofertilizer approved for organic agriculture by Ecocert Canada. Feel free to contact us for the manufacturer's information.
