Fertilizing Newly Planted Trees in Lapeer County

Fertilizing newly planted trees in Lapeer County requires a cautious approach. While it may seem beneficial to provide additional nutrients, over-fertilization can harm young trees and hinder their establishment.

For the first year after planting, it's generally best to avoid fertilizing altogether. This allows the tree to focus on establishing its root system without the added stress of rapid top growth stimulated by fertilizers.

When fertilizing trees and shrubs after the first year, use a slow-release, balanced fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Other additives, such as mycorrhizal fungi, can be helpful in establishing new trees, as well. Most tree and shrub fertilizing is done in either the spring or fall.

Deep-root fertilization is the best way to fertilize your trees and shrubs. The fertilizer is applied as a liquid with a soil probe that achieves three important results. First, it gets the fertilizer below the lawn roots – down to where the tree roots are located. Also, the outlet ports on the soil probe release the fertilizer laterally into the soil so a greater number of roots have access to the nutrients. Lastly, the water pressure used to inject the fertilizer into ground helps to aerate the soil around the tree roots – an especially useful feature on clay soils. This will give you much better results than just spreading granules on the surface.

Over-fertilization can lead to excessive top growth at the expense of root development, making trees more susceptible to drought stress, insect feeding and wind damage. By following these guidelines, Lapeer County residents can promote healthy tree growth without risking the long-term health of their newly planted trees.

To find out how fertilization could help your new or mature landscape planting contact Owen Tree and Lawn care at 800-724-6680 for a fertilization program tailored to your specific tree and shrub varieties.