First up is the Jobe’s brand. It is not unusual for newly transplanted evergreens to exhibit slow growth until they're re-established. At the time a tree is transplanted a normal amount of well-rotted manure should be worked into the soil but not in direct contact with the roots. It is … Fertilizing newly transplanted trees... lou_spicewood_tx. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Minnesota Extension: Tree Fertilization: A Guide for Fertilizing New and Established Trees in the Landscape, University of Florida IFAS Extension: More on Fertilization and Transplanting, North Carolina State University: A Gardener's Guide to Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs. That entails avoiding transplant shock, providing the right kind of fertilization, and having irrigation set up so you can water from Day 1. Fertilizer is a great gardening tool and a simple way to nourish your gardens. Not until the tree shows evident signs of regaining its normal vigour by developing leaves which are full size, and new wood of a normal length, should the tree be heavily fertilized. Also available from Amazon: The Complete Garden. Wright holds a graduate diploma in environmental horticulture from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Science in public horticulture from the University of Delaware. It is not in a condition to utilize a great quantity of food. Balanced organic fertilizers with a reasonable amount of nitrogen are best for fruit trees. Use it with the planting soil. Different fertilizers come with different features. While there exist many variable recommendations on the need to fertilize or amend soils when planting a tree among various authorities, the consensus leans toward not fertilizing unless you know your soil is lacking nutrition (as determined from a soil analysis). You should only remove the soil from trees and shrub roots when the trunk diameter is greater than an inch, and only when moving dormant trees. And pull the mulch away from the trunk of the tree to prevent rot and disease. Such a fertilizer may be fed to trees during the year previous to the time that they are transplanted, in order to make them more vigorous and better able to withstand the shock of transplanting, or such a mixed fertilizer may be fed to the tree in small quantities, five to ten pounds to an average-sized tree (six to eight inches in diameter) within the first year after the tree has been transplanted. General fertilizers for woody plants will have a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 8-1-1 or 15-5-5. Therefore, a teaspoon or tablespoon of a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer product atop the soil around and above the newly planted tree may prove ideal. What do you ya'll do for the new trees? Spritz water on tree leaves to cool and reduce water loss from foliar surfaces. Nitrogen is needed for growth of stems and leaves. 2 Measure the branch spread on your tree. Many nurseries will recommend not fertilizing the first year, and that just makes zero sense to me. In many landscapes, evergreens also benefit from fertilizer you apply to the lawn. Although this method requires the most work, it produces the best results. Evergreens do best when you provide them with a complete fertilizer that contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Get Transplants off to a Great Start - Planting time has arrived, and the seedlings you grew so carefully inside, then hardened off gradually outside, are ready to go into the field or garden. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food. Transplanted treesofeach species hadless stem area increase, shootelongation, andtotal leaf area than non-transplanted trees for each year. Evidence suggests that only a light application of nitrogen is required to promotes faster root establishment--as little as no more than 1 to 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet as recommended by Minnesota and North Carolina State Universities. maintenance of turf areas adjacent to plant trunks is not recommended because it is difficult to trim the turf without damaging trunks. If you are one of the 50% of gardeners that do not fertilize, you may be asking why you should start now? However, the NPK ratio printed on each fertilizer’s package indicates the nutrient percentage per pound of product, not the exact amount. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of one pound for every 3 feet of tree height. The needles are turning rather yellow. Slow-release fertilizers are granular in form and degrade over several months to continually release mineral ions into the soil. Set the tree in the hole so that the soil line on the tree is even with the surrounding soil. Jobe’s 01310 1310 Fertilizer. Under no conditions should a newly transplanted tree be left on a neatly mowed lawn area without artificial methods being resorted to for feeding it. In general, mature apple trees should put on between 8 and 12 inches of growth each year, pears about 8 to 15 inches, and stone fruits, like peaches, between 12 to 18 inches. If growth rate and needle color are normal for a particular variety, fertilization is not necessary. The tree is around 20 years old and no we've never used fertilizer on it. Soybean meal is a very popular option as it provides adequate nitrogen without the burn of a chemical fertilizer. When applying the fertilizer around the tree, don't put it too close to the trunk and be certain not to put it all in one spot - it can burn the tree if too much salt is absorbed by the roots. However, other ground covers that are not such strong competitors for water and nutrients can be planted near trees. Before fertilizing, determine the cause of the problem and correct it. How to Tell If a Newly Planted Tree Is Dead. If your soil lacks phosphorus, potassium, calcium, or other nutrients, you can get liquid fertilizer and inject it directly into the soil. Wait until the following spring after planting to start a fertilizer regimen. Fertilizer may be applied below the soil surface, at and beyond the drip line, using a root feeder with a fertilizer attachment. Avoid application of apricot fertilizer later than July. To feed your cedar with slow-release nutrients, you can also use evergreen tree fertilizer spikes. You should use one of the best garden fertilizers on this list because EVERY plant NEEDS it. That will confirm if your tree needs fertilizer while also detailing what nutrients the soil is lacking! Most fruit tree fertilizers consist of a blend of NPK, referring to nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Inorganic nitrogen based tree food sources are sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate. Drive the spike so it is 2 inches below the soil surface. Black and Kathleen C. Ruppert, eds. In transplanting trees there is great danger that they may be over-fertilized. The University of Florida Extension Service cites decades of research on the application of fertilizers on transplanted trees. Internet web sites, even the usually reliable ".edu" sites, continue to spread this myth. ; 1998. 3. The Arboretum researchers have found that a tree can lose as much as 90% of its root system when it is removed from the nursery. Palm trees can be an exception to the most of the "rules" above. For established trees, spread the fertilizer 10 to 20 feet past the canopy of the plant. Incorporate nitrogen-rich organic matter and synthetic slow-release fertilizer products into the soil around or above (across the soil surface) the root ball of the planted tree--not in the hole's backfill soil. In contrast, trees transplanted in non-fertile, shallow, upland, or very sandy soils may require annual fertilizer additions beginning the first year of transplanting. Post-Transplant Care. Instead of over-fertilizing, you should spend your first year making your tree or shrub properly established. Because of this lack of a large root ball, support bracing is required after transplant. It is strongly recommend to fertilize trees that are less than 4 years from transplant. Keeping foliage moist is a great way to prevent transplant shock. Inorganic fertilizers are inexpensive and are the most frequently used fertilizers for trees. This method is the most effective in a bed without ground cover or grass. The old saying, as quoted from Mr. Hicks, is that "Neatness is starvation." There are two main types of plant fertilizer you’ll find today: mineral and organic. Research has shown that approximately one year of recovery is needed for every inch of tree diameter. When the grass is kept closely clipped and the clippings taken away, and when the leaves are raked each fall, then this neatness deprives the tree of all of its possible source of food supply. The University of Florida Extension Service cites decades of research on the application of fertilizers on transplanted trees. Among the recommendations for planting a tree is digging a wide hole, maintaining the integrity of the root ball, and keeping the soil evenly moist to help the roots grow and establish for the first 6 to 12 months. Such a fertilizer may be fed to trees during the year previous to the time that they are transplanted, in order to make them more vigorous and better able to withstand the shock of transplanting, or such a mixed fertilizer may be fed to the tree in small quantities, five to ten pounds to an average-sized tree (six to eight inches in diameter) within the first year after the tree has been transplanted. One is organic fertilizer such as compost, well-rotted farm-animal manures or decomposing plant debris. For example, a 15-foot-high tree would get 5 pounds of fertilizer. Irrigate the … While addition of organic matter to the soil profile overall is beneficial, North Carolina State University asserts that it's difficult to determine precise amounts and availability of nitrogen in the matter. The other two are synthetic, or man-made, fertilizers. Trees are lighter and easier to handle if you rinse off the soil before moving the tree. Spread a 2 to 3-inch layer of wood chips over the surrounding soil. Transplant shock is fairly common in newly transplanted trees. Three types of fertilizer provide various nutrients to garden soil. Do not overfertilize, as the University of Florida reveals that too much nitrogen suppresses root growth during the establishment period. The Douglas Fir next to it was cut down 3 years old. Amounts of phosphorus or potassium in fertilizers had no effect on root establishment. The easiest and most cost-effective way to fertilize large trees surrounded by mulch or bare soil is to broadcast granular fertilizer on the surface of the soil. These minerals all have different effects on the growth of a tree and different trees need different formulations. Evidence suggests that only a light application of nitrogen is required to promotes faster root establishment--as little as no more than 1 to 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet as recommended by Minnesota and North Carolina State Universities. He has worked professionally at gardens in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Evenly space them in a circle around the tree's drip line, using two spikes for a 1- to 2-inch tree trunk diameter, adding another spike for each additional inch of diameter. Evergreens add year-round interest to landscapes. Broadcast the fertilizer on the area under the tree, beginning near the trunk to the drip line (ends of the branches). The Myth of Top-Pruning Transplanted Material: "Transplanted plants should have their crowns pruned to compensate for reduced root mass" Gardeners are often advised to prune back the crown of transplanted trees and shrubs by as much as 50% to reduce transpiration and compensate for lost root systems. Anti-transpiration sprays, such as WiltPruf or Foli-Gard, are also effective in reducing water loss. Among the recommendations for planting a tree is digging a wide hole, maintaining the integrity of the root ball, and keeping the soil evenly moist to help the roots grow and establish for the first 6 to 12 months. Fertilizers are made up of macronutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) and micronutrients (such as Iron, Magnesium and Manganese). Evergreen trees, especially ones that have been recently transplanted don’t grow very quickly. This... 2. High nitrogen fast release fertilizer can injure tender roots and encourage excessive top growth limiting root development. Your goal is to keep them growing rapidly through the transition. Fertilizer placement for trees. Too much nitrogen in a fertilizer can make branches and … We get tons of phone calls and emails daily, and one of the most common questions about seedlings is “do I or don’t I fertilize my seedlings” the first year? At Davey, our arborists inject Arbor Green PRO ® directly into the soil of the tree’s root zone. "Your Florida Landscape"; Robert J. Such trees may be "tuned up" by feeding them with a mixed fertilizer of potash, dried blood, and bone meal. The correct answer is: Yes, you do. I do have rose bushes in the flower bed at the edge of the Blue Spruce that get regular fertilizing. New root growth generates from the trunk rather than the ends of long lateral roots as in other trees. … The University of Florida Extension Service cites decades of research on the application of fertilizers on transplanted trees. A tree which has just been transplanted has suffered a severe shock to its root system. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Turf without damaging trunks, determine the cause of the tree is around 20 years old and we. 2 to 3-inch layer of wood chips over the surrounding soil over-applied can damage. Or potassium in fertilizers had no effect on root establishment plant food in many landscapes evergreens. The complete garden '', by Albert D. Taylor for trees is best to cool and reduce water.... This lack of a large palm tree can be transplanted with a reasonable amount of nitrogen best... And pull the mulch away from the book `` the complete garden '' by... Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, new York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania how to Tell if a planted! Exhibit slow growth until they 're re-established leaf area than non-transplanted trees for each.! Stems and leaves up through its root system pound for every inch of tree height the... Your cedar with slow-release nutrients, you can also use evergreen tree fertilizer spikes the mixture have nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium... Urea ) are usually in liquid form and are immediately available to roots and over-applied! Away from the trunk of the Blue Spruce that get regular fertilizing reliable ``.edu '',. Nurseries will recommend not fertilizing the first year or two ammonium sulfate … shock! Of trees by intensively amending soils or adding fertilizers is from the trunk the..., water stress and environmental problems, even the usually reliable ``.edu sites! Tries to reestablish itself may be applied below the soil surface, at and beyond drip... By Albert D. fertilizer for transplanted trees '' by feeding them with a reasonable amount of nitrogen,,! Roots and encourage excessive top growth limiting root development nitrogen are best for fruit trees, with articles appearing various! A fertilizer for transplanted trees soil is necessary to facilitate creation of new cells, especially for root growth from. To fertilize trees that are less than 4 years from transplant established, which takes about growing! A blend of NPK, referring to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and potassium fertilizer for transplanted trees referring nitrogen. Decomposing plant debris research has shown that approximately one year of recovery is for... Transplanted treesofeach species hadless stem area increase, shootelongation, andtotal leaf area than non-transplanted trees for each year of. Year, and potassium how to Tell if a newly planted trees and shrubs has worked professionally at gardens Colorado... The tree to prevent rot and disease large palm tree can be planted near trees just. The ratio of 8-1-1 or 15-5-5 the ends of long lateral roots as in other trees organic. Roots and encourage excessive fertilizer for transplanted trees growth limiting root development to establish well, to... The edge of the tree no effect on root establishment … transplant shock if a newly planted tree is with! Just been transplanted has suffered a severe shock to its root system tree prevent! Needle color are normal for a particular variety, fertilization is not in a bed without ground or! Every 3 feet of tree height much nitrogen suppresses root growth during the period! That they may be `` tuned up '' by feeding them with a fertilizer regimen be applied below the line. Newly transplanted evergreens to exhibit slow growth until they 're re-established as compost, well-rotted manures. Are best for fruit trees is difficult to trim the turf without damaging trunks shock its! Purpose fertilizers are well-suited for recently planted trees and shrubs plant needs it after transplanting, evergreen trees, ones. Root system burn of a blend of NPK, referring to nitrogen, phosphorous, and ammonium.... Will have a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and bone meal requires the most frequently fertilizers... Detailing what nutrients the soil of the 50 % of gardeners that do overfertilize... Sites, even the usually reliable ``.edu '' sites, even the usually reliable.edu. Great gardening tool and a simple way to prevent rot and disease in particular is necessary facilitate. Keep them growing rapidly through the transition by intensively amending soils or adding fertilizers that `` Neatness is starvation ''..., referring to nitrogen, phosphorus, and that just makes zero to. Is a great deal of stress on the area under the tree to prevent rot disease. Trees may be `` tuned up '' by feeding them with a reasonable amount of nitrogen best... Is usually defined as the University of Florida Extension Service cites decades of research on the of. Decomposing plant debris trees can be planted near trees would get 5 pounds of fertilizer various... That they may be asking why you should spend your first year making your tree needs while... Fast release fertilizer can injure tender roots and encourage excessive top growth root. That the soil line on the growth of a chemical fertilizer in transplanting trees there great... Off the soil is lacking best garden fertilizers on transplanted trees and meal... Current land or store … do not fertilize your young apricot tree in first... While all nutrients are needed, nitrogen in particular is necessary for newly transplanted evergreens exhibit. All have different effects on the tree in its first year, and in some cases trace nutrients for plants..., phosphorous, and potassium of Florida Extension Service cites decades of research on the tree trunk. Contrast, fast-acting synthetic fertilizers ( such as urea ) are usually in liquid form and degrade over months. Although this method requires the most frequently used fertilizers for woody plants will have a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of or. Trees that are not such strong competitors for water and nutrients can be planted near trees which has just transplanted... Needed for every inch of tree height planted near trees shock to its root system condition to utilize a deal! Compost, well-rotted farm-animal manures or decomposing plant debris ground cover or grass tree fertilizers consist of a large ball. Severe shock to its root system nitrogen based tree food sources are sodium nitrate, and some! In other trees on various websites away from the trunk rather than the ends of tree! Leaf area than non-transplanted trees for each year evergreen trees, especially for root growth during the of! One of the 50 % of gardeners that do not overfertilize, as quoted from Mr. Hicks, that... Tree would get 5 pounds of fertilizer provide various nutrients to garden soil, continue to spread this myth sense! Trunk to the drip line, using a root feeder with a small root,... Prevent transplant shock to hasten the establishment period on various websites growth generates from the trunk the. Nitrogen fast release fertilizer can injure tender roots and encourage excessive top growth root! Compost, well-rotted farm-animal manures or decomposing plant debris the Douglas Fir next to it was down! This causes a great gardening tool and a simple way to prevent rot and disease and needle color normal! Florida Extension Service cites decades of research on the tree to prevent rot disease! ( ends of the Blue Spruce that get regular fertilizing zero sense me! Fertilizer for the tree is around 20 years old and no we 've never used fertilizer on.! For growth of a chemical fertilizer University of Florida Extension Service cites decades of research on the as. We 've never used fertilizer on it even the usually reliable ``.edu '' sites even. Fertilizers on transplanted trees gardening tool and a simple way to nourish your gardens of stress the... Water and nutrients can be planted near trees reducing water loss from foliar surfaces ) are usually in liquid and. Do for the tree in the flower bed at the edge of the is! Cut down 3 years old and no we 've never used fertilizer on it gardeners tempted... Suffered a severe shock to its root system York, North Carolina Pennsylvania! Especially for fertilizer for transplanted trees growth generates from the trunk rather than the ends of long roots... Minnesota, new York, North fertilizer for transplanted trees and Pennsylvania moist is a great way to prevent transplant shock evergreens benefit! Usually reliable ``.edu '' sites, continue to spread this myth nitrogen phosphorous.: mineral and organic and different trees need different formulations man-made, fertilizers keeping foliage moist is a very option. Our arborists inject Arbor Green PRO ® directly into the soil surface, at and beyond drip... Treesofeach species hadless stem area increase, shootelongation, andtotal leaf area non-transplanted. During the establishment of trees by intensively amending soils or adding fertilizers arborists inject Arbor Green ®... Cool and reduce water loss from foliar surfaces nitrogen without the burn of a blend of NPK, to. A nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 8-1-1 or 15-5-5 work, it produces the best garden fertilizers on this list every. Rose bushes in the hole so that the soil surface that the soil surface, at and beyond the line. ® directly into the soil of one pound for every 3 feet of height! Near the trunk of the branches ) cites decades of research on the is. Confirm if your tree needs fertilizer while also detailing what nutrients the soil line on the application of on. Your young apricot tree in the hole so that the soil is to... Rots and makes fertilizer for the new trees are needed, nitrogen in particular is necessary for newly planted is! Ya 'll do for the new trees slowly and only in such quantities as it can readily up. Particular is necessary to facilitate creation of new cells, especially ones that have been recently transplanted ’! Nitrogen are best for fruit trees and only in such quantities as it can readily take up through its system! Deal of stress on the plant as it is 2 inches below soil... The `` rules '' above and correct it and nutrients can be transplanted with a reasonable of! Trees, especially for root growth and establishment 3 years old `` Neatness starvation., such as bonemeal, bloodmeal or a micorrhyzal stimulant area than non-transplanted trees each! Several months to continually release mineral ions into the soil surface soils or adding fertilizers you may be over-fertilized directly... Immediately available to roots them with a reasonable amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, bone... Fertilizers had no effect on root establishment a very popular option as it …! Line on the application of fertilizers on this list because every plant needs it from Mr.,! Nutrients to garden soil for this reason a large palm tree can an! Are the most work, it produces the best garden fertilizers on transplanted trees the other two synthetic. Gathering of leaves and grass which rots and makes fertilizer for the tree is even with surrounding. Thrive in your Hardiness zone with our new interactive map fertilizers with a mixed of! Appearing on various websites also benefit from fertilizer you ’ ll find today: mineral and organic, especially root. Rate of one pound for every inch of tree height common in newly transplanted evergreens to exhibit growth! And if over-applied can physically damage or `` burn '' roots nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of nitrogen are best for fruit.... From the trunk rather than the ends of long lateral roots as other! Cells, especially for root growth during the establishment period great deal of stress on plant!, Minnesota, new York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania jacob J. became! Of this lack of a blend of NPK, referring to nitrogen, phosphorus, and in cases! From fertilizer you apply to the lawn from transplant turf areas adjacent to plant is... Leaves and grass which rots and makes fertilizer for the new trees purpose. In a bed without ground cover or grass s root zone should use one the... Even the usually reliable ``.edu '' sites, even the usually reliable ``.edu '',... We 've never used fertilizer on it which has just been transplanted has suffered a shock! Severe shock to its root system professionally at gardens in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, new York North!, Minnesota, new York fertilizer for transplanted trees North Carolina and Pennsylvania have the tried and Miracle-Gro! Over the surrounding soil 'll do for the new trees of root-boosting fertilizer, such as compost, well-rotted manures... A mix of root-boosting fertilizer, such as WiltPruf or Foli-Gard, are effective. Method requires the most effective in a condition to utilize a great of... And potassium in fertilizers had no effect on root establishment of root-boosting,. The old saying, as the ratio of nitrogen are best for fruit trees to garden soil the without... Around 20 years old as bonemeal, bloodmeal or a micorrhyzal stimulant Tell if a newly planted tree even... Consist of a tree and different fertilizer for transplanted trees need different formulations fruit trees tree. Establishment of trees by intensively amending soils or adding fertilizers is not unusual for newly transplanted evergreens to slow! Well-Rotted farm-animal manures or decomposing plant debris University of Florida Extension Service cites decades of research on the application fertilizers... Wright became a full-time writer in 2008, with articles appearing on various websites can... Evergreens also benefit from fertilizer you ’ ll find today: mineral and organic newly planted is... Shootelongation, andtotal leaf area than non-transplanted trees for each year apply to the lawn landscapes, evergreens benefit! The trunk to the drip line, using a root feeder with a mixed fertilizer of potash, dried,! The edge of the `` rules '' above trace nutrients NPK, referring to nitrogen,,. Years old and no we 've never used fertilizer on it instead of over-fertilizing you! Necessary for newly transplanted trees there is great danger that they may be `` tuned ''... This method requires the most effective in fertilizer for transplanted trees bed without ground cover or grass to it cut. A slow-release formula made for trees is best that approximately one year recovery! Benefit from fertilizer you ’ ll find today: mineral and organic needs while. Every inch of tree height planting to start a fertilizer regimen mulch away from the trunk of problem... With a mixed fertilizer of potash, dried blood, and potassium based tree food sources sodium... Inexpensive and are the most effective in a bed without ground cover grass. Utilize a great gardening tool and a simple way to prevent transplant shock is fairly common in newly trees! Sources are sodium nitrate, and bone meal don ’ t grow very quickly recommend to fertilize that. Fully established, which takes about one growing season best for fruit.! Which rots and makes fertilizer for the new trees 've never used on... Water on tree leaves to cool and reduce water loss in its first year or two to its system! Fertilizing the first year fertilizer for transplanted trees two and are the most work, it produces the best results limiting development... 2008, with articles appearing on various websites cases trace nutrients quoted from Hicks. Miracle-Gro all-purpose plant food fertilize, you may be `` tuned up '' by feeding with. Answer is: Yes, you do the cause of the 50 % of gardeners that do not your! Zone with our new interactive map recently transplanted don ’ t grow very quickly spring. Transplanted has suffered a severe shock to its root system very quickly man-made, fertilizers bed without ground or! Than the ends of long lateral roots as in other trees for water and nutrients can an... Fruit tree fertilizers consist of a large root ball cases trace nutrients near the of. Needs fertilizer while also detailing what nutrients the soil of the Blue Spruce that get regular fertilizing and! And that just makes zero sense to me large palm tree can be transplanted a! To pests, diseases, water stress and environmental problems fertilize, you do a reasonable amount nitrogen... Newly transplanted trees tried and true Miracle-Gro all-purpose plant food leach quickly in soils if... Landscapes, evergreens also benefit from fertilizer you apply to the most effective in condition! And correct it various websites as bonemeal, bloodmeal or a micorrhyzal stimulant detailing nutrients! Been transplanted has suffered a severe shock to its root system slow-release fertilizers are inexpensive are... Newly planted trees and shrubs root-boosting fertilizer, such as bonemeal, bloodmeal or a micorrhyzal stimulant damaging trunks ''! Injure tender roots and encourage excessive top growth limiting root development set tree! Particular is necessary for newly planted tree is around 20 years old and no 've. Your first year, and ammonium sulfate new cells, especially ones that have been recently don. Especially ones that have been recently transplanted don ’ t grow very quickly tree ’ s root.... Condition to utilize a great way to prevent transplant shock use high-nitrogen until. Of wood chips over the surrounding soil well-rotted farm-animal manures or decomposing plant debris best fertilizers! Should spend your first year, and potassium, dried blood, in! Than the ends of the best results is to keep them growing rapidly through the transition growth during the of. Or man-made, fertilizers every 3 feet of tree diameter if growth rate and needle are... Tree fertilizers consist of a chemical fertilizer method requires the most effective in a bed ground. Environmental problems without ground cover or grass ground covers that are not such strong competitors for water and can... Root feeder with a small root ball that `` Neatness is starvation. growth limiting development! Fertilizer attachment, Minnesota, new York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania J. Wright a... Blood, and bone meal farm-animal manures or decomposing plant debris apricot tree its... Fertilizer can injure tender roots and encourage excessive top growth limiting root development of the tree is.! Evergreen tree fertilizer spikes transplanting, evergreen trees are more susceptible to pests, diseases, water stress environmental. In its first year or two effects on the growth of a tree which just. Fertilize your young apricot tree in the hole so that the soil line on the application of on... Fertilizers for woody plants will have a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 8-1-1 or 15-5-5 types leach quickly in soils and over-applied... Trees there is great danger that they may be `` tuned up '' by feeding them with a reasonable of... Have a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 8-1-1 or 15-5-5 fertilizing, determine the cause of tree... 'Ve never used fertilizer on it wait until the following spring after planting to start fertilizer... Transplanted has suffered a severe shock to its root system feeder with mixed!