How to Fertilize Deciduous Trees
Deciduous trees are those that lose their leaves during the winter. They should be fertilized twice during the year: once in the early spring before they set their leaves, and once again in mid-summer.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Early Spring Fertilizing
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1
Apply dry fertilizer around the drip line of the deciduous tree in early spring before the foliage begins to grow. The term "drip line" refers to the imaginary line on the soil that corresponds to the outward edge of the leaves.
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2
Dibble (mix) the fertilizer into the soil using a trowel or hoe after you have placed the fertilizer around the drip line.
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3
Apply a layer of mulch and compost to prevent the soil from drying out and to keep weeds from growing near the base of the tree. Keep the mulch at least 6 to 8 inches away from the trunk to prevent fungus diseases and to allow for maximum air circulation.
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4
Water around the drip line to move the fertilizer deep into the soil where the roots can pick it up.
Mid-summer Fertilizing
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1
Place liquid fertilizer into a hose-end applicator. Attach the hose-end applicator to the hose.
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2
Attach a deep root feeder probe onto the hose-end sprayer. The deep root feeder is a 4-foot hollow metal spike with holes along the shaft that delivers the fertilizer solution deep into the soil. You should now have the hose with the fertilizer applicator and the deep root feeder all joined together.
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3
Turn on the faucet so that water is flowing through the hose.
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4
Probe the soil around the drip line of the tree to apply fertilizer directly to the roots.
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5
Leave the probe in the soil for a few minutes in each spot to make sure that an adequate amount of the diluted fertilizer reaches the roots.
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6
Continue moving the probe around the drip line of the tree so that the fertilizer is applied evenly around the perimeter.
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