Food For The Trees
The trees in your landscape are often forgotten about when you think about feeding and fertilizing. Do you know when the last time you fed your trees was or have your ever given your trees any type of special fertilizers in the past?

Posted Thursday, April 6, 2006

Do you know when the best times to fertilize your trees is? In the spring months after the first frost has passed and again in the fall months when the leaves are just falling, are the best times of the year to fertilize your trees. All types of trees need a little extra food, from the leafy to the evergreen and needle trees, they each have special needs. Trees that have been growing in the same location for five or more years continually are taking nutrients from the soil. Adding fertilizer strengthens and provides what trees need to keep on growing.

Roots from all plants, trees, bushes, shrubs, flowers and your vegetables are going to seek out what the plant needs to survive. Your trees can root out long ways through your yard, but sometimes, providing what they need surrounding the tree is going to limit how far those roots are going to invade your yard, remember this is not standard for all types of trees or every situation.

The roots on a tree continue to grow long after the leaves on the tree fall, or the needles fall to the ground. Even in the harshest grow zones; trees can continue growing until November or December until the ground starts to freeze. In the spring months, as early as February and March, the ground starts to thaw and the roots on the trees begin to grow seeking water and nutrients once again.

What are some of the biggest reasons why a tree will need fertilizers? 1.Stress from a long hot summer; the soil is dry and the tree is continually growing. The roots are reaching out for water and the tree is growing. Fertilizer is going to give the tree a boost for successful growth. 2. Trees need extra nutrients and fertilizer because of the stress of winter. Ice, snow and the limbs can break in the winter months and add to the needs of the tree.

How can you tell if your tree needs a little extra fertilizer? If your tree doesn't appear to be growing in the spring season, the soil may lack any of the nutrients the tree needs for survival. The colors of the leaves should be a green color, not yellow or brown, but a shade of green that is healthy. If the color of your tree is discolored during the early and midsummer months, your tree is most likely lacking something.

Giving your tree a little extra fertilizer once or possibly twice a year is going to enhance how your entire landscape starts to shape up!