A healthy landscape starts with healthy soil. Creating vibrant trees requires a deeper understanding of their roots, which thrive with nutrient-rich soil and plenty of moisture. You can boost your trees’ growth and improve their health through proper fertilization and soil care.

How to Fertilize Trees

Mulch is the most common tree fertilizer. Use only organic mulch, such as bark or wood chips, and apply it at least 3 to 6 inches from the tree bed. This helps prevent rot and pests.

Avoid packing the mulch tightly around the tree or over its roots; being close enough to the bed will help protect and nourish the soil underneath, benefitting the tree in the long run by locking in moisture and infusing more nutrients into the earth.

Improving Soil Health: Start With a Test

You can test the pH levels of your soil to determine what care it needs. Test kits can help pinpoint nutrient deficiencies and organic matter levels, which you can then improve with mulch or professional care.

Most trees need soil that has a pH level of 6 or 7. For acidic soil (low pH), lime is the solution. High-acidity soil needs elemental sulfur or peat to lower its level to a healthier baseline.

Choose Organic Fertilizer

Organic matter, such as wood chips or leaves, makes the best fertilizer for healthy trees. Avoid mass-produced, chemically altered fertilizers or mulches that can harm your landscape. If you need something more than organic over-the-counter mulch, contact a local tree expert who can offer the best solution.

Apply just 2-3 inches of fertilizer at a time, and let it break down. Over-fertilizing trees burns the roots, attracts pests and leads to weaker, faster growth. With trees, you want to aim for slow, sustained growth.

Signs You Need Tree Soil Care

You may want to invest in tree service and soil care if you notice signs like slowed or delayed growth, fewer leaves, shorter branches, early leaf drop or canopy thinning. These indicate your tree isn’t receiving enough nutrients, so it’s slowing its growth to conserve energy.

You can also look at the soil itself. If it’s hard or crusted or has fungal growth, this is a telltale sign that you need professional service to restore its health. Act as soon as you can to avoid passing disease or harming trees and plants that aren’t getting the nutrients they need.

When you need residential or commercial tree service in Auburn, AL, turn to our experts at Tree & Green Services.