How to Fertilize a Linden Tree

Lindens produce golden foliage in the fall.

The linden tree, also known as the basswood or lime tree, is a hardy tree with a natural pyramidal shape. Lindens grow slowly, but once established, they make lovely shade trees. They have attractive golden fall foliage.

Things You'll Need

• Spade or tiller
• Tape measure
• Phosphorus and/or potassium fertilizer (depending on soil)
• Nitrogen fertilizer (33-0-0 ammonium nitrate or 45-0-0 urea)

Instructions

1. Test your soil prior to planting a linden tree. When you are planting the tree, till an area that is about three to five times the diameter of the linden tree's root ball and slightly deeper than the root ball.

2. If the soil test shows low phosphorus or low potassium levels, add the needed amount of fertilizer (based on soil-test results plus guidelines on the product package) by incorporating it into the outer 2 feet of the tilled circular area made in Step 1.

3. Apply a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer at a rate that does not exceed a tenth of a pound per square foot. That would be, for example, 3/10 of a pound of 33-0-0 ammonium nitrate or 2/10 of a pound of 45-0-0 urea. Broadcast the fertilizer around the newly planted tree, then water it to encourage the fertilizer to move down into the soil and reach the tree's root system.

4. Repeat nitrogen application in the spring of the second growing season, before leaves begin to bud, to encourage rapid growth.

5. Examine your established linden tree in subsequent years for signs that fertilizer may be needed. Measure the length of new shoot growth, the growth from the present year. If it is fewer than 2 inches, apply nitrogen fertilizer. If tree leaves turn yellow during the growing season -- not in the fall -- or are off color, investigate possible nutrient deficiencies with a soil test. At any rate, get a soil test every three to five years to determine whether fertilization is needed, advises the University of Minnesota Extension.

Tips & Warnings

• Trees growing in a lawn that receives regular fertilization usually do not need any additional fertilizer. In this case, only apply additional fertilizer if shoot growth is fewer than 2 inches or a soil test reveals a specific nutrient need.

• Never mix quick-release fertilizer in with the soil that is returned to the hole as you are planting a tree. It could burn the roots.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension: Tree Fertilization
• Colorado State University Extension: Linden
• North Dakota State University: Fertilizing Trees