Tree and Shrub Fertilization
The right blend of fertilizer can go a long way towards encouraging your trees and shrubs to grow healthily-- especially the younger ones. Fertilizing trees and shrubs through deep root feeding is effective because it sends important nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium straight to the root for maximum absorption. You'll notice the effects of nitrogen straight away as it encourages fast growth of trunks, branches, and healthy green leaves. A favorite of newly planted trees and shrubs, phosphorus stimulates vigorous root growth, and potassium works towards the overall strength and health of your trees and shrubs, helping them to withstand everything from ice and wind to disease and insects. Depending on the type of tree or climate, iron may also be added to your fertilizer blend as well.
We recommend that all newly planted trees and shrubs receive regular deep root feeding to help them reach optimum growth throughout their first five years. The investment in shrub and tree care is well worth it given the marked improvement you'll notice in health, growth, and appearance.
How can you tell when extra shrub and tree care is needed with deep root feeding? One telltale sign is very little growth (in spite of adequate rainfall). Leaf quality is also a key indicator of health; if leaves are yellowish, lose their color or drop early, or become smaller year after year, this could also mean that it's time to invest in fertilizing tree and shrub care.
Specialty Tree Trunk Injections
If your landscape contains trees that are taller than 20 feet high or located in zones where conventional deep root feeding is not feasible, our tree care services also include specialty injectionsfor tree fertilizing as well as disease and insect control. Our tree trunk injection treatments include:
- Nutrients for Iron Chlorosis
- Nutrients for Iron and Manganese deficiencies
- Nutrients for Phosphorus and Potash deficiencies
- Fungicide for Selected Diseases
- Insecticides for Various Targeted Insects
To learn more, please visit our tree and shrub care services page today.
Additional Tree Care Tips
Aside from regular tree fertilizing, proper watering is another equally important aspect of shrub and tree care. Trees may tend to do okay through short dry spells, but they'll suffer during longer periods of drought that can penetrate down into the top three feet of the soil (where most tree roots are located).
Routine watering is an especially important part of tree care for young or newly transplanted trees. Nurseries know this, which is why some garden centers water their trees and shrubs as often as once a day.
During periods of extended drought, it's important to factor watering into your tree care routine for more established trees as well. When watering these types of trees, the goal is also to get as much water as possible to the roots. Direct water towards the base of the tree (inside the drip line). Apply water evenly. And don't cause runoff by applying water faster than the soil can absorb it.
Another key component to tree care is preventing unnecessary damage to trees. Protect your trees from mower and trimmer blades by placing a mulch border around the base. Mulch is also useful for helping the soil retain moisture and stay at a lower temperature. To encourage stronger growth, avoid using stakes whenever possible; remove all stakes as soon as any tree is strong enough to stand up on its own. While pruning is also an important part of tree care, be sure you are making clean cuts instead of ripping off branches; doing an initial cut at the bottom can help prevent heavier branches from ripping off during cutting. If your tree does receive a wound, be sure to treat it properly to encourage healing and prevent disease or insect problems.
Shrub and Tree Care with a Difference
Quality shrub and tree care programs from Spring-Green are designed to promote growth, increase health, and provide resistance to lawn disease and infestation. Our experts will give you the professional advice and solutions you need to keep your landscape healthy and growing strong.
To learn more or set up a free evaluation, please contact your neighborhood Spring-Green lawn care service today!