I would use an all-purpose fertilizer around trees and shrubs. Such products have equal amounts of each of the primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). Examples that you can find in box stores are: 10-10-10, 13-13-13, etc.
For all trees and shrubs.
If needed, the best time to fertilize is late April or early May, or late fall once plants are dormant. The recommended fertilizer should be spread evenly across the soil surface.
Any tree or shrub that appears to be struggling is a good candidate for a deep root fertilization treatment. Signs of a struggling tree or shrub include: Defoliation – the tree is losing its leaves. Slow or minimal growth.
Feed trees, shrubs and hedges with a balanced fertiliser (such as Growmore or blood, fish and bone), sprinkling it over the root area before hoeing into the soil surface. This will particularly benefit young, weak, damaged or heavily pruned plants.
If you have a variety of trees and shrubs in your garden, you can use an all-purpose plant food like Miracle-Gro® Shake n Feed® Flowering Trees & Shrubs Continuous Release Plant Food which will feed for up to 3 months.
As the tree decomposes, nutrients are recycled into the soil and a microhabitat favorable for the growth of new tree seedlings is often created. Insects, salamanders, snakes, mice, and shrews seek refuge in rotting logs. Skunks, bears, and woodpeckers repeatedly return to these cafeterias for easy pickings.
Without a soil test, after the tree is planted, apply ¼ cup of 10- 10-10 or the equivalent from other sources around the plant. Spread the material evenly in an area 4 feet in diameter. Repeat the application in 4 to 6 weeks, but not later than the middle of June.
Organic fertilizers are better than artificial ones. You should also not apply too much fertilizer. Excess fertilizer can contact the tree roots, burning them chemically.
When applying fertilizer, always read and follow all label directions carefully - too much fertilization can permanently damage trees and plants. Excess fertilizer alters the soil by creating too high of a salt concentration, and this can hurt beneficial soil microorganisms.
In general, with good plant health care, it takes around four to six weeks for fertilizer to work on trees. That is because it takes a while for the fertilizer to be absorbed by the tree's roots and for the nutrients to spread throughout the rest of the tree.
A 10-10-10 fertilizer is also called an all-purpose fertilizer because it can be used on almost any outdoor plant, including vegetables, shrubs, trees, flowers, lawns, and houseplants. Generally, it can be applied to any plant that doesn't need higher amounts of one of the three macronutrients.
Yes, a 16-16-16 fertilizer provides a balanced solution of total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it suitable for many fruit trees.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are needed in larger amounts than other nutrients; they are considered primary macronutrients. Too much fertilizer is not only a waste of money, but it can damage plants and harm the environment.
Newly planted trees still in their development phase but after their first growing season needs to be consistently fertilized up to twice annually to help support their root establishment. Mature trees generally need lower amounts of nitrogen to keep their foliage and health in good condition.
Osmocote 14-14-14 is widely used for greenhouse production of plants due to its uniform controlled release of nutrients. It will not only supply a controlled release of nitrogen, but potassium and phosphorous as well as micro nutrients. It is also used for indoor plants, specimen plants, trees, and shrubs.
Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers are best for woody plants, with one-third to one-half of the nitrogen in a water-insoluble, slowly available or slow-release form. Shrubs and trees absorb fertilizer during their active growth period: from spring, when growth begins, to late summer and early fall.
Treating a Sick Tree
If your tree shows signs of illness, you want to avoid putting fertilizer near the root zone and using pesticides. Additionally, you should avoid over-mulching and overwatering. Proper pruning practices should also be done, and exposed roots should be hand trimmed.
Apply one pound of a 12-12-12 fertilizer (or equivalent) for each year of tree age or each inch of trunk diameter, up to a maximum application of 8 to 12 pounds per tree. Apply in early spring. Mature trees should have 9-15 inches of shoot growth annually.
It helps promote green foliage fast thanks to a high percentage of ammonium, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Suitable for use on all flowers, vegetables, shrubs, trees and houseplants.
While it is important to preserve standing dead trees in urban areas, it is not always safe or practical to leave the whole tree standing. Over time, there is an increased risk of parts of the tree breaking and falling to the ground.
Fertilizers. Too much or too little fertilizer can be bad for your dying tree. Soils with organic fertilizers can help an area around a tree remain loose, giving the root system plenty of room to breathe. This will allow your tree to get the extra nourishment it needs.
1. Termites at the base of the tree. Termites will happily feed on both underground wood (such as dead tree roots) and above-ground wood.