I planted some small pine and spruce trees in late Spring. They are doing very well but I'm wondering if I should fertilize them now before winter or at all? Are they too small? (they are approx. 3ft high). Should I wait until Spring? I live in Zone 5 - Michigan. Also, I bought some fencing to put around them for the winter. Since I live next to an apple orchard I'm worried that deer will eat the new shoots when the apple trees stop producing. Should I be worried about this? Also, a neighbor suggested placing burlap around the fencing for winter since they are small. Is this a good idea or a waste of time? Thanks so much - I love this forum. I've learned so much and enjoy reading all the posts.
Skip the fertiliser, unless a soil test shows a severe deficiency. Pines and spruces are well adapted to low nutrient soils and don't need a lot. Deer are likely to be a problem, right from the start, not just after they've finished the apples. Rutting stags / bucks at this time of year enjoy thrashing against young trees to show off how tough they are. Put 3 stakes in a triangle round each tree, and pin on some chicken wire. That's better than burlap, which will interfere with the trees' photosynthesis.
Yes: Deer with antlers can be murder on young prickly conifers planted in the open, apparently a favorite target.
