Author Topic: When to fertilize trees? (Read 831 times)

Star1pup · « **on:** February 12, 2006, 04:09:57 AM »

I'm here in Ohio and was wondering when I should fertilize my fruit trees. I think I should wait until they leaf out, but nbot sure.

jvs · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2006, 02:37:50 AM »

Never fertilize any tree when it is in bloom or bearing fruit.

Star1pup · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2006, 03:09:55 AM »

So it might be a good idea do do a little fertilizer in March before any blossoms?

jvs · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2006, 03:32:06 AM »

You have to be careful to fertilize very lightly before the buds start breaking open. A half pound of 10-10-10 would do for each tree. Fruit Trees do NOT need fertilizing ever year. Only when poor growth is noticed. If you fertilize your lawn, you would not need to do any additional fertilizing of the fruit trees.

Never fertilize on top of snow or in the heat of summer. IF your ground is bare now, you can fertilize very lightly in Feb and March. You want a good portion of the fertilizer used up before bloom.

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2006, 07:31:16 PM »

What is the best way to apply the fertilizer to the tree?

jvs · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2006, 07:10:37 AM »

The recommended way to fertilize a fruit tree is to spread Fertilizer in a thin band around the tree just below the Drip Line, which is the outer edge of the branches.

10-10-10 is a good all around fertilizer, but some people like 15-30-15, turned under lightly after application. Of course, natural fertilizer may be best.

Having a good neutral ph mulch layer between the Trunk and the Drip Line never hurt anything either.

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2006, 06:35:18 PM »

Would that method also apply to non-fruit bearing trees? I have some young bradford pear trees(non-fruit producing) and the mulch is out past the drip line, so should I just sprinkle the fertilizer in the mulch?..

jvs · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2006, 09:29:02 PM »

Most recommend to Fertilize out at the drip line. 1/2 lb of 10-10-10 per tree prior to bloom and an additional 1/2 lb for every 5 years of age, sprinkled all the way around the drip line. Next years bloom and foliage will show the advantages of this method. Fertilizing trees should only be done when it is absolutely necessary.

One thing to be aware of is that the use of fertilizer changes your ph over time. Your soil will end up on the acidic side of the ph scale.

Sometimes it is better to let things as they are without fertilizers if you don't keep track of your ph.