Most of the earth can be given a color and character by planting trees.Although trees don't need a lot of maintenance, they do benefit from the occasional application offertilizer.If you want to avoid damaging your tree, test your soil first.Adding an appropriate amount of fertilization in the spring or fall will help your trees recover from damage and grow again.
Step 1: If your tree is damaged or has a disease, you need to spread thefertilizer.
Poor growth can be an indication that a tree isn't getting the right amount of nutrition.There are a few clear signs.If a tree appears to be damaged or dying from harsh weather, insects, diseases, or chemicals, it can benefit from using afertilizer to repair itself and prevent future harm.Many healthy trees don't need any extra help.Addingfertilizer to good soil can cause your tree to over grow and weaken the wood.
Step 2: Measure the distance between the rings.
You can check out the tree's branches with a tape measure.There are little bud scars on the branches.They will look like rings.You can measure how much the tree has grown by looking at the scars on the branch.You won't need to take precise measurements if the rings are evenly distributed.You may still want to understand how much your tree is growing.Every year, a new tree will grow by 9 to 12 in.An older tree will grow by 10 to 15 cm every year.Within 10 to 30 years, your tree will reach maturity.The growth will slow down by then.
Step 3: The test is on.
You can find the country extension office in your area.They can give you an analysis of what's missing in the soil if you take a sample.You can easily determine what kind offertilizer you need with this test.Before adding anything to the soil, make sure to do this test.Most home improvement stores sell a testing kit.The results of some of these tests can help you figure out how to improve your soil.The soil's pH can be a problem.This is not fixed withfertilizer.If you want to raise the pH, use garden lime and lower it with sulfur or aluminum sulfate.If your tree's optimal pH range is not found, you should only adjust your soil.
Step 4: It's a good idea to addfertilizer to the soil in the fall and spring.
Timing the application offertilizer is important to avoid damage to the tree.The best time is around October.Wait for the first frost in your area before applying thefertilizer.It's a good time to addfertilizer around April and May.Fall is the best time of the year because the tree is still active and will absorb and store the vitamins and minerals for the spring.The tree will continue to grow if you add too much early.New growth on your tree can die in the summer or winter.
Step 5: The trunk has a diameter above the ground of 1 ft.
If you use the size of your tree, you can determine how much you need.To estimate the tree's thickness, use a tape measure.You can use the measurement in your calculations if you note it.Measure the tree's trunk at about chest height in order to get a safe estimate on how much you need.
Step 6: Divide the trunk's diameter by 100.
The goal is to give most trees no more than 1 lbs offertilizer per year.This will give you an idea of how much nitrogen is needed for a 1,000 sq ft (93 m) growing space.If your tree is in a small yard, you should use less fertilization.A tree 3 in (8.6 cm) thick needs a small amount offertilizer.3 x 0.10 is how much it is.Areas such as sidewalks, driveways, and buildings are not counted when determining the tree's growing area.Trees near structures will need less fertilization.If you want to estimate how much you need, you can use the tree's age.
Step 7: Divide your estimate by the nitrogen in thefertilizer.
It's important to make the last calculation in order to avoid over-fertilization.The nitrogen content will be listed on the bag.You can see a number such as 30 3 3, which means thefertilizer is 30 parts nitrogen, 3 parts phosphorus, and 2 parts potassium.The amount of nitrogen in 1 lbs of your particular fertilizer is 0.30 lbs.If you think you need 0.2 lbs of nitrogen, you'll need about a third of it.The number is divided by the number of 0.9.
Step 8: If you want to give your soil the right amount of nutrients, choose afertilizer.
Selecting the right bag can feel a little intimidating.You will know what you need if you tested your soil.The best choice is a mixture of 12 to 30 parts nitrogen.Don't add too much of the nutrients to the soil by keeping the K and P content low.Adding nitrogen is the most common reason to do so.If your soil is low in nitrogen, you can get afertilizer.Depending on the composition of your soil, look for something with 3 to 12 parts phosphorus and potassium.Slow-releasefertilizer is used for nitrogen fertilization.Liquidfertilizer can be injected directly into the soil if it doesn't have any of the important vitamins and minerals.The nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio is 8-1-1 or 15-5-5.
Step 9: The branch should be spread on your tree.
There are tree roots that can spread.The tree needs to be fertilized as far as the roots go.Start at the end of a branch.Measure all the way to the furthest branches on the opposite side of the tree using a tape measure.The diameter of the branch will give you an idea of how far the tree's roots have spread.
Step 10: If you want to fertilize the tree directly, you should dig evenly-spaced holes around it.
If your soil is very dense, it is important to do this.Make holes about 1 in in diameter, 6 to 12 in deep, but space them 2 ft apart.If you want to create more circles of holes until you are beyond the tree's branches, dig the holes in circles.You can use a drill with an attachment to make holes.The holes should reach 1.5 times farther than the branches.Any tree can be helped by drilling holes.If there are grass and other plants above the roots, it can be useful to rake up the tree's leaves.Most of the roots are not more than 18 in (46 cm) below the surface.You don't want to damage the utility lines under the soil.Don't disturb the root zone too much.There are both large and small roots in the tree's root zone.Try to avoid all of the roots.
Step 11: Thefertilizer is spread 1.5 times further than the tree.
To find out how far you need to distribute thefertilizer, divide the diameter by 1.5.rake it smooth after scattering yourfertilizer over the area.You can spread thefertilizer up to 2 times further than the tree.If you dug holes to get to the roots, fill them with thefertilizer.
Step 12: A compost is spread over thefertilizer.
The pine bark compost adds important vitamins and minerals to the soil.It keeps the soil moist and insulates it.A layer of compost should be 4 in (1.9 cm) thick.Place it on top of thefertilizer and rake it flat.Compost adds more nitrogen to the soil.Take the amount of compost you add into account.
Step 13: There is water
The best way to water trees is by setting a hose near the trunk.Allow the water to trickle into the soil for 2 or 3 hours.The compost should be moist to eliminate air holes.If you want your soil to reach the roots, you need to add enough water.A screwdriver or metal rod can be used to test the soil.It should come out dirty.A bucket or sprinklers can help if you can't use a hose.