How much fertilizer do shade trees need, what kind is the best, and when should it be applied?
Ornamental trees and shrubs planted in fertile, well drained soil that are growing normally do not need extra nutrients. If they are not doing well fertilization may be helpful but only after the problem causing poor growth is corrected. Symptoms of poor growth may be light green or yellow leaves; smaller and/or fewer than normal leaves or dead spots; wilting of foliage; few flowers; short annual twig growth; and branch tip die back. These symptoms of poor growth may be caused by poor environmental situations like: inadequate soil aeration and moisture, or nutrition; adverse climatic conditions; wrong pH; or insects and diseases. Normally the only nutrient applied to established trees and shrubs in nitrogen. Other situations like chlorotic leaves, manifested by yellowing of leaves but veins remain green, require specific applications of a nutrient, in this case iron. The amount of nitrogen needed will depend on the size of the plant. Measure the diameter of the trunk about one foot fro
