The Importance of Spring Fertilization for Trees and Shrubs

Fertilization is a crucial aspect of tree and shrub care, as it helps to provide the nutrients that these plants need to grow and thrive. In particular, fertilizing trees and shrubs can help them stay healthy and grow well.

Knowing why fertilization is essential and how to do it right can help ensure your trees and shrubs stay healthy and productive for years.

Fertilization is vital for the health and growth of trees and shrubs because it gives them the nutrients they need to thrive.

Trees and shrubs need nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and trace elements like iron, zinc, and copper to grow and make healthy leaves and fruit.

When trees and shrubs lack nutrients, they may grow too short, have leaves that turn yellow or different colors, or make less fruit.

This Viva Tips article will explain why fertilizing your trees and shrubs in the spring is essential and how to fertilize them properly.

Fertilizing in the Springtime

Professional horticulturists agree that spring is a great time to fertilize trees and shrubs because they are actively growing and getting ready to make new leaves.

Applying fertilizers during this time can help support their growth and development. It is also a good idea to fertilize trees and shrubs in the fall, as this can help them build up reserves of nutrients they can draw upon during the winter months.

Choosing the right type and amount of fertilizer for your trees and shrubs is essential, as using too much or the wrong fertilizer can harm them.

Watering the soil thoroughly after fertilizing is also essential to help the nutrients reach the feeder roots. Trees and shrubs must be fertilized to stay healthy and strong and help them grow to their fullest potential.

In short, treating your trees and shrubs with fertilizer in the spring is essential to ensure they stay healthy. So let’s discuss, in detail, the most important reasons why fertilizing is necessary for your trees and shrubs.

Follow along to learn why you should fertilize your trees and shrubs, what fertilizers to use, and more.

Benefits of Springtime Fertilization

Improved Growth

One of the main benefits of spring fertilization treatments for trees and shrubs is improved growth. Fertilization helps give trees and shrubs the essential nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong.

In particular, fertilizing can help increase nitrogen levels, which makes it possible for woody plants to make a lot of leaves. Suppose a tree or shrub is not receiving the proper nutrients. In that case, it can become weakened and more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Fertilizing a plant can also help the roots grow, essential for the plant’s health.

Enhanced Root Development

Treatments with fertilizer in the spring are essential for the healthy growth of trees and shrubs. One of the most important benefits of this treatment is that it helps the roots grow.

Fertilizer feeds essential nutrients to the soil, which helps promote robust root growth. This, in turn, helps support the tree or shrub’s overall growth and health.

Strong roots also help trees and shrubs do better when the weather is terrible, like when it’s dry or floods. They also help them recover faster when they get an infestation or disease.

Increased Stress Tolerance

Treatments with spring fertilizers are essential for trees and shrubs because they help them get used to stress. When a tree or shrub is fertilized in the spring, it allows for better absorption of essential nutrients, which helps to build up their immune system.

This makes it easier for trees and shrubs to handle changes in the weather, pests, and diseases.

It also helps them grow stronger and healthier roots and build a better structure for stability. A spring fertilization treatment can also improve your trees and shrubs’ overall look and color.

Improved Flowering and Fruiting

The fourth benefit of spring fertilization treatments is that they can improve the flowering and fruiting of your trees and shrubs.

Fertilizer ensures plants have all the necessary nutrients to grow and make many flowers. In addition, fertilization will make the flowers more vibrant and colorful.

Fertilization also makes the fruits and vegetables taste better, so you can get more tasty food from your garden.

Because the plants can take in more nutrients, they are less likely to get diseases, pests, and other problems that stop them from flowering and fruiting.

Improved resistance to insects and diseases

Putting fertilizer on trees and shrubs in the spring is very important because it makes them more resistant to bugs and diseases.

These treatments help promote healthy growth and root development, which in turn helps the tree or shrub become more resistant to pests and pathogens.

Fertilizers also provide necessary nutrients to the soil, which can help create a more hospitable environment for beneficial organisms such as earthworms and fungi.

These beneficial organisms can help prevent diseases and bugs from hurting trees or shrubs.

Mitigate Damage Caused by Severe Winters

Harsh winters can cause a great deal of damage to trees and shrubs, resulting in weakened limbs, frostbite, and other issues.

Freezing temperatures can cause the water inside the tree to freeze, leading to frostbite-like symptoms. Additionally, heavy snow and ice storms can put immense stress on the limbs of trees. This can lead to breakage or even death if left unchecked.

Fortunately, some steps can be taken to counteract the damage caused by harsh winters. When trees and shrubs are fertilized in the spring, they get essential nutrients that help them prepare for the coming weather.

These products also promote healthy plant growth and development all year.

Additionally, it’s important to prune any damaged branches or limbs to prevent further harm.

Taking these steps will ensure that your trees and shrubs remain healthy despite any harsh winter conditions they may face.

What About Summer, Winter, or Fall?

Most of the time, it’s better to fertilize trees and shrubs in the spring than in the summer, winter, or fall because that’s when they’re growing the most.

Trees and shrubs are beginning to produce new foliage and flowers in the spring, and they need a steady supply of nutrients to support this growth. Fertilizing during this time can help ensure they have the nutrients they need to thrive.

Fertilizing in the summer can be less effective because the hot weather can cause the fertilizers to break down more quickly, reducing their effectiveness. In addition, the hot weather can cause the soil to dry out more quickly, making it difficult for fertilizers to reach the roots of the plants.

Generally, it’s not a good idea to fertilize trees and shrubs in the winter when most are dormant and not growing. Fertilizing dormant plants can do more harm than good, as the nutrients may not be used effectively and cause the plants to break dormancy prematurely. This can be detrimental to their overall health.

Fertilizing in the fall can be beneficial because it can help trees and shrubs build up reserves of nutrients they can draw upon during the winter. But it doesn’t work as well as fertilizing in the spring because the plants are starting to go dormant and might be unable to use the nutrients.

Overall, spring is the best time to fertilize trees and shrubs because it happens during their active growing season and can help them grow and develop healthily.

Establish a Need for Fertilizing

Fertilizing trees and shrubs is an integral part of maintaining healthy plants. Proper fertilization may give plants the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.

The first step in determining if your trees and shrubs need fertilizing is to have a soil test done through the Clemson Extension Service.

A soil test will determine the soil’s acidity or alkalinity (pH) and the levels of nutrients that are present. Depending on the soil test results, you may need to add nutrients to make up for any deficiencies in the soil.

In addition to a soil test, look for signs of poor growth in your trees and shrubs, such as pale green or yellow leaves, smaller than standard leaf size, early fall coloring, leaf drop, and little annual twig growth.

These can all be signs that plants are not receiving enough nutrients from their environment and could benefit from fertilization.

Talk to a professional tree and shrub fertilization company about soil testing. By fertilizing your trees and shrubs regularly, you can help ensure they stay healthy and full of life for years.

Types of Fertilization Treatments

Several different types of tree and shrub fertilization applications are commonly used by professional tree companies. These can include either liquid or granular fertilizers:

• Soil injection: This method involves injecting the liquid fertilizers directly into the soil near the tree’s roots or shrub. This allows the nutrients to be delivered directly to the plant’s root zone, which can be absorbed more efficiently.
• Foliar spray: This method involves applying fertilizers directly to the foliage of the tree or shrub. A foliar application can deliver nutrients quickly, as the leaves can absorb the fertilizers directly.
• Slow-release fertilizers: These fertilizers are formulated to release nutrients over time rather than all at once. This can be a good option for trees and shrubs sensitive to excess nutrients, as it allows them to absorb the nutrients gradually and reduces the risk of over-fertilization.
• Organic fertilizers: These fertilizers are made from natural materials such as compost, bone meal, or blood meal. They are generally slower-acting than synthetic fertilizers but can be a good choice for those who prefer more natural products.
• Synthetic fertilizers: These are made from chemical compounds and are typically more concentrated than organic fertilizers. They can be a good choice for those who want to provide their trees and shrubs with a quick boost of nutrients. Still, following the recommended application rates is essential to avoid over-fertilizing.

Overall, the best type of fertilization application for your trees and shrubs will depend on their specific needs and the soil conditions. It is always a good idea to consult a professional tree care company or a certified arborist to determine the best fertilization plan for your trees and shrubs.

Commonly Applied Nutrients

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are plants’ most commonly applied nutrients. Nitrogen is needed for healthy growth and makes leaves look complete, while phosphorus is needed for roots and flowers to bloom.

Potassium helps strengthen stems and increase disease resistance. These three macronutrients are typically found in fertilizers. Still, large amounts of other nutrients that plants need, like calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, can also be added. But it is usually unnecessary to add magnesium and sulfur to South Texas soils because they already have enough.

In addition to these macronutrients, zinc or iron may be added to many fertilizers. Suppose your shrub or tree has a micronutrient deficiency, like iron chlorosis. In that case, you can use the recommended nutrient rate or a fertilizer with the missing micronutrient.

It’s important to note that too much of any nutrient can harm plants, so it’s best to follow label instructions when applying fertilizer. You can ensure your plants have everything they need to grow and develop healthily by giving them the right amount of nutrients.

What Kind of Fertilizer to Use?

Fertilizers are a vital part of maintaining healthy soil and plants. The type of fertilizer used will depend on the soil test results and the type of plant being grown.

A complete fertilizer like 16-4-8, 12-6-6, or 12-4-8 is recommended unless a soil test shows that the soil already has enough phosphorus and potassium. There are two types of fertilizers available:

• Fast-release
• Slow-release

Fast-release or water-soluble fertilizers are less expensive than slow-release products. Still, their nutrients can leach quickly through the soil. These fertilizers may move past the root system in sandy soils with good drainage after only a few inches of rainfall or irrigation. In clay soils, leaching will be slower, but runoff may be more significant.

Slow or controlled-release fertilizers have extended release periods compared to fast-release fertilizers, whose nitrogen is water soluble and readily available to plants. These fertilizers are more expensive, but they can give plants a steady supply of nutrients over time, which helps the plants grow and stay healthy.

Amount of Fertilizer to Apply

When fertilizing shrubs and trees, the amount of fertilizer is based on the actual pounds of nitrogen.

Generally, younger plants should receive higher nitrogen rates than mature plants, with a recommended rate of 2 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet of root spread area annually.

To calculate this area, you can use the formula 3.14 x radius², which is 1½ times the area of the crown spread. When fertilizing shrubs and trees in lawns, it’s best to follow the turfgrass’s recommendations for how much and when to apply the fertilizer. If you use more than 2 pounds of nitrogen, you can overstimulate or burn the grass.

It’s important to note that different plants may require different amounts of fertilizer depending on their age and size. For example, shrubs and trees that are still young should get more nitrogen than plants already grown.

Also, when putting fertilizer on lawns with shrubs and trees, you should be careful not to use more than 2 pounds of nitrogen per square foot. This could cause damage to both the grass and plants.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your shrubs and trees get all the nutrients they need without causing any damage.

Trees and shrubs need spring fertilization treatments because they give the plants the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.

Fertilizers can help add essential macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium back into the soil and micronutrients like zinc and iron. Different types of plants may require different amounts of fertilizer depending on their age.

Fertilizer Application Methods

Methods for putting down fertilizer ensure plants get the nutrients they need to grow and do well.

There are two main methods of fertilizer application:

• Indirect
• Direct

Applying the fertilizer to the entire root zone area is essential for either method. Most of a plant’s roots are located within the top 10-14 inches of soil, where oxygen concentrations are naturally high.

Additionally, many mulched plant roots are beneath the mulch on the soil’s surface. Therefore, it is best to apply fertilizer directly to the ground’s surface or mulch so that rainfall or irrigation water can carry it down to where it needs to go.

No matter what fertilizer you use or how you apply it, it is critical to irrigate soon after application to wash any excess from the leaves. It will also help the fertilizer dissolve and penetrate the mulch and soil to reach the roots.

This will ensure your plants get all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Taking these steps will help you achieve optimal results when fertilizing your plants.

When to Apply

Fertilizing plant is an integral part of maintaining a healthy garden. Applying fertilizer at the right time and in the right amount can help plants get the nutrients they need to thrive.

The best time to fertilize plants is when they grow, and the soil is moist enough. This means fertilizing in early spring and possibly again in early summer if conditions are favorable for trees and shrubs.

During drought or other stress, it’s important not to fertilize because plants might be unable to use the nutrients. Using the turfgrass fertilizer rate is critical when fertilizing trees and shrubs in lawns.

Remembering that fertilizer should only be applied when necessary is also essential. Over-fertilization can cause more harm than good, so it is best to wait until plants show signs of nutrient deficiency before applying fertilizer.

Also, only fertilize if there’s water because plants can only use the nutrients if they have enough water. Following these guidelines ensures that your plants get what they need for optimal health and growth.

Calculating the Amount of Fertilizer

It is critical to fertilize trees and shrubs in lawns at the appropriate time and rate for the turfgrass.

This can be done using Figure 1 as a guide to determine the fertilizer needed. The fertilizer should be applied evenly on mulched and un-mulched surfaces to about 1½ times the crown radius.

For trees, it is vital to apply fertilizer to the area occupied by their roots or the root zone. This root zone is roughly circular, with the tree in the center.

To calculate this area, measure from the tree’s trunk outward in all directions until you reach 1½ times its crown radius. Once this measurement has been taken, you can accurately determine how much fertilizer needs to be applied for optimal growth and the health of your trees and shrubs.

In conclusion, spring fertilization treatments are necessary to ensure healthy tree and shrub growth. Not only do they give the plants the nutrients they need to stay alive, but they also make a barrier that keeps out pests and diseases. By providing a spring fertilization treatment, you can ensure your trees and shrubs stay healthy and happy for years.