Tree & Shrub Fertilizing

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Unlike trees growing in the Denver metro area… trees growing in a forest live in a balanced environment. The nutrients that are absorbed from the soil eventually fall to the ground in the form of leaves, needles, fruit, branches, etc. This organic matter accumulates on the ground where soil microorganisms decompose it, returning the nutrients back to the earth. The fine absorbing roots hairs of trees and shrubs grow up into this decaying organic matter and re-absorb the nutrients… starting the cycle all over again.

Let’s take a look at where we plant trees in the Denver Metro area.

In the urban forest each autumn we gather up the nutrient-containing leaves and give them to the trash man. We plant turf grass over tree root systems, or worse still… cover roots with plastic or landscape fabric and cover that with decorative rocks. We stuff trees into tiny planting pits in sidewalks and parking islands without any consideration for future growth. Then we expect them to grow and thrive. Maybe if we give our trees a little fertilizer now and then they might perform a bit better.

Common ways to Fertilize Trees and Shrubs include:

• Liquid Fertilizer Injection: This is done by dissolving fertilizer in water and then injecting it into the soil around the root zone of the tree. A common tool for the homeowner to use is the Ross Root Feeder.
• Jones Tree and Lawn, Inc. has specially equipped trucks that inject fertilizer solution deep into the tree's root system under pressure. This technique not only provides fertilizer, but as a secondary benefit, the injection leaves a hole in the soil that provides a channel for air and water to penetrate the soil.
• Topical Application: Granular or diluted liquid fertilizer is spread across the soil surface. When it gets wet… nutrients are washed down into the root zone.
• Tree Trunk Injection: This method bypasses the root system and puts nutrients directly under the bark of the tree where the fertilizer is dispersed through the sap system. Trunk injection is usually done to correct specific nutrient deficiencies like iron chlorosis. Trunk injections should only performed by trained professionals.

For more information and pricing, call Jones Tree & Lawn, Inc. at 303-431-8132 today!