Sunburst Honeylocust

If you have trees or on tree planting plan - understanding their need for nutrients is essential. All trees need the right amount of nutrients to live and prosper. If one or more of these nutrients are deficient in the soil, the tree will not reach its full landscape potential, will be more susceptible to disease and insect problems, and have a lifespan of a similar tree well fertilized.

To understand the trees need nutrients, we first examined how these foods are divided into two groups: macronutrients and micronutrients, according to the quantity needed for growth. Macronutrients are required by plants in larger amounts of micronutrients. Macronutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S).

Trace elements that are necessary in very small quantities, including iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), and molybdenum ( MB).

Many fertilizers are formulated with the proper amount of nutrients in the right proportions, thereby taking the guesswork out of fertilization. All labels indicate the amount of fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in the product by percent. These labels also indicate the weight of these nutrients per 100 pounds of products. For example, 100 pounds of fertilizer labeled 10-8-6 has 10 pounds of nitrogen in various forms [p. ex. ammonium (NH4) or nitrate (NO3)], 8 pounds of phosphate expressed as P2O5 and 6 pounds of potash, expressed in K2O. Fertilizers containing N, P and K, such as 9-18-9 and 20-20-20, are designated as "fertilizer full.

If you try to stay fully organic fertilizers are available in this form. Organic fertilizers take time to decompose and release nutrients slowly.

To determine when to fertilize or how much, to take into consideration your environment, if your trees have been under stress due to the humidity low, if they have been physically damaged. The competition by the grass and nearby trees may cause stress on your trees. And if you just plant your tree, it is important to keep the weeds out of their bases to avoid excess stress.

Another way to determine if your tree needs to be fertilized soil test by taking a sample. Ideally, a soil sample must be taken before the trees are planted. Additional samples may be taken every 3-5 years thereafter to determine if nutrients are linked. A soil test kit can be obtained from your county extension service.

In the absence of a soil test, the best indicator of the need to fertilize more trees in place is the growth of shoots. If growth occurs new growth (this year) is over 6 inches, then fertilization is probably unnecessary. If shoot growth is between 2 and 6 inches, then fertilizer can be applied.

foliage color is another indicator of the need for fertilization. Yellow or off-color "leaves may indicate the need for fertilization, because these symptoms usually occur on trees, not enough by one or more of the nutrients. Always remember, however, that, apparently, "off-color" leaves are normal for certain plants such as "Sunburst honeylocust and some maples and ash fall.

A final indicator of the need for fertilization is the history of the court. Trees in courses that are fertilized lawn on a regular basis rarely need to have additional fertilizer applied. additional fertilizer should be considered if shoot growth is less than two inches, or if a soil test reveals a deficiency of specific nutrients.

When should I fertilize? Most trees experience a unique color of growth in the spring followed by slower growth throughout the summer and fall. Because of this single growth spurt, it is desirable to have n