Forest trees seem to grow so well in crowded conditions without any treatments at all. Why do my trees need to be fertilized to promote healthy growth?
Forest trees to a certain extent fertilize themselves by annually shedding leaves which decay and then enrich the soil. In urban and suburban neighbor hoods, cement prevents the leaves from fertilizing the soil or they are raked up before they have a chance to do so. Often, in modern neighborhoods construction causes adverse conditions for plant growth. Top soil is completely removed and not replaced, heavy machinery compacts fertile soil creating stressful conditions, and trees compete with grass and other plants for nutrients. Fertilization is especially important to promote health growth for landscapes in our modern day neighborhoods.
