Tree fertilization: Is it necessary?

A local tree company insists I would be wise to pump fertilizer into the ground around my japanese maples and other trees, such as dogwood, on an annual basis. Is this really necessary?

 

Unless there is an unusual nutrient deficiency, I'd prefer to skip fertilizing for my own, or use very little. Maybe occassionally, rather than anually.

Many that I see, which were fertilized, loose their natural form, habit or branching pattern. Almost becoming whip-like regarding top shoots or stems.

Nutrients do accomplish what a "textbook" may describe, but the consequences and weakness resulting can be just as real, being more counterproductive..

There are a lot of trees that grow in nature for many decades without fertilizing programs.

 

Either the soil there has all the tree needs or it does not. However, injecting liquid into the ground is not the way to go about it - should it be found that there is a need for fertilization. Sample and test the soil yourself with a soil test kit from a garden center (a bit rinky dink) or have it tested by a lab (much better), for nutrient content. If fertilization is indicated, use an appropriate granular product, broadcast over the ground as per label instructions.

 

Isn't mulch and compost a good practice that works like nature to satisfy the nutritional needs of a tree?

 

A good practice: yes.

Replaces fertilizer: no.

 

The key is to find out if your soil is short on any one nutrient the tree needs before randomly throwing nutrients at it.

From my limited understanding of the chemistry it seems nutrients in the soil must be in balance with each other. Do anything strange and hopefully you just accomplish nothing, maybe you harm the tree.

Unless the local tree company is offering to do this for free they have a motive to sell their product.

I must have a link somewhere.........

 

Ron,

Can you say more about the fertilizer vs mulch/compost idea?

I was thinking that the compost would reduce to elements absorb-able by mycos or directly by the tree roots. I thought that a good compost would contain both micro and macro nutrients that would be close to complete enough to complete nutrition.

Appreciate the education.

 

Same as with fertilizer any compost used needs to happen to provide all individual specimen needs in order to correct any deficiency that may be present.

Think of it this way: if you need more iron in your body can you count on grabbing anything off the shelf that says "vitamins" on the label being sufficient to solve your problem?