Why Your Trees Need Deep Root Fertilization
Your trees and shrubs represent a significant investment in your property. Still, with everything going on around the holidays—coupled with spending more time inside because of colder temperatures—it is easy to overlook some beneficial opportunities to show them some love. That’s why we offer winter tree care in the form of deep-root fertilization.
What is deep root fertilization?
Deep root fertilization is a method of fertilizer application that uses specialized high-pressure equipment to inject fertilizer directly into the soil around the tree's roots. By applying the liquid fertilizer in this method, we are able to inject a combination of water, soil amendments, and liquid fertilizers directly next to the tree's feed roots, making it easier for the tree to absorb the organic matter.
Why is deep root fertilization important?
Deciduous trees and shrubs have lost their leaves, or at the very least have lost all the color in their leaves. Just before the leaves drop, these plants pull in all the nutrients from the leaves and store them in the roots for the winter. They also use their roots over winter to gather up and store available water. The next spring, they force the stored nutrients back up the trunk and into the branches in order to help with new growth.
This cycle from leaves to roots and back up to the branches makes the timing of our fall deep root fertilization applications ideal. After we use our probe to inject the fertilization mixture, the roots naturally uptake the water and extra nutrients and then hold them in reserve until spring temperatures signal the time to bloom and leaf out again next year.
How do you know if your tree needs a fertilization treatment?
Though all trees and shrubs can benefit from this treatment, there are a few noticeable signs that can appear throughout the year, such as:
Slow or reduced growth
Fewer or smaller leaves than in the past years
Losing leaves throughout the summer
Leaves that change color too early
Discolored leaves that are either pale green or yellow in color
General dieback in the tree canopy
If you notice any of these signs or want a professional opinion, contact us today.
What are the benefits of deep root fertilization?
There are three main benefits to applying fertilizers to trees using this method:
Applying the water, soil amendments, and liquid fertilizers directly to the roots makes it easier for the tree to absorb, making it significantly more effective than standard fertilization applications.
This method of direct application greatly reduces fertilizer runoff, which otherwise can have a negative impact on the ecosystem.
Deep root application also helps to reduce soil compaction, which allows the tree to more easily access and absorb water, oxygen, and essential nutrients.
Additionally, the fertilization mixture helps your tree to survive the winter more easily and thrive once spring comes.
Do evergreen trees need deep root fertilization?
Evergreen trees and shrubs function similarly, up taking nutrients and moisture from their roots over the winter. They differ from their deciduous counterparts in the fact that they don’t drop their “leaves” – actually called needles – in most cases. These plants, rather than changing colors and dropping their leaves, form a wax coating over the needles or leaves that helps to prevent moisture loss during the winter. They, however, equally benefit from deep root feeding.
Call the professionals
At Nutri-Green, we provide year-round tree care that focuses on creating personalized treatment plans that help your trees and shrubs thrive throughout the year. If you are interested in our deep root tree care treatment or in a few consultations, give us a call today at [phone-number] to learn more. Mention this blog and save $20 on your deep root fertilization.
