Choosing the Right Tree Fertilizer

Written by Amy Gordon (last updated September 7, 2018)

Trees are wonderful to have around the house for their many benefits. If you want to grow a tree, a good way to make it grow healthy and strong is to feed it fertilizer. Tree fertilizer is applied throughout the years in the spring and summer months. Several light applications is usually preferable to a heavy one. To apply, you just have to scatter the fertilizer around the soil at the base of the tree without having it touch the base of the tree. Then soak the fertilizer into the soil. The one main problem with fertilizing trees is choosing the right fertilizer. Read on if you want help with this important decision.

Tree fertilizers can really be broken down into two main categories: organic and inorganic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are natural fertilizers that come from plant and animal sources. These fertilizers need to be decomposed by the soil, so they have a slower release time than inorganic fertilizer. The big advantage of using this kind of fertilizer is that it changes the condition of the soil. This is extremely helpful if your soil lacks nutrients, because as more organic material is decomposed by soil, the healthier the soil becomes. Over time, the soil will turn from something that is not very good for growing life, to something that is healthy for growth. This is a long change, however, so do not expect the soil to be instantly better.

The other option for fertilizer is inorganic fertilizer. These fertilizers are inexpensive and frequently used in gardening. These chemically manufactured fertilizers are great for a one time shot to the tree, but do not change the nature of the soil, so are only good if you do not need to soil to get healthier over time. These fertilizers come either in liquid or water-soluble form.

Author Bio

Amy Gordon

Amy Gordon loves keeping things simple, natural, and safe so she can spend more time having fun. Every day she learns new things about making life at home easier and she loves to share it with you! ...

MORE FROM AMY

Removing Magic Marker Stains

Some permanent marker stains may never come out, but there are several methods you can use for marker stains that will ...

Discover More

Getting Rid of Tent Worms

Tent worms are disgusting little creatures that will infest and eat your tree. These tent worms will go away on their own ...

Discover More

Secret to Rounded and Shaped Shrubs

Getting interestingly shaped shrubs may seem too difficult, but with some patience and just a couple of cutting sessions ...

Discover More
More Gardening Tips

Do You Need Plant Food?

If your plants are not growing as well as you want to, fertilizer might be a good way to help. Start by testing the soil ...

Discover More

Organic Fertilizers

The nutrients within organic fertilizers originate wholly from the byproducts or remnants of organisms. Because organic ...

Discover More

Home Composting Basics

If you have a garden, one of the best ways to fertilize it is through the use of compost. It's quite easy to make your ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Receive an e-mail several times each week with a featured gardening tip. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four minus 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Receive an e-mail several times each week with a featured gardening tip. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)