Why fertilize trees in urban and suburban landscape?
In a forest—trees’ natural environment—trees self-feed through the natural
process of leaf drop and dead wood decaying on a thick, nutrient-rich floor.
In urban and suburban settings, the absence of this natural litter, diminishes
the ability of trees to fight insects and disease. These settings also bring other
stress factors, such as a higher average heat index, soil compaction due to sidewalks
and parking lots, and pollutants, including winter’s excessive road salts.
When a tree is out of its natural environment, we must take responsibility
for its care and pick up where Mother Nature left off. Our job as arborists is to
mirror nature as closely as possible by restoring the balance as best we can.
Through a non-spray, sub-surface, fall fertilization program, administered
periodically, nutrients are injected into the soil to encourage the root system’s
ability for nutrient uptake which fortifies a tree’s ability to withstand stress.