Tree fertilization is a service offered by tree care professionals to ensure the health and longevity of trees. Many trees are planted in public spaces such as parks and streets, so maintaining their health is important.
Tree fertilization services include assessing the tree for deficiencies, finding suitable replacements, and applying a nourishing agent to the tree. These agents can be done yearly, seasonally, or once depending on the deficiency or weakness.
Some of the most common issues trees have are: nitrogen deficiency, iron deficiency, manganese deficiency, and zinc deficiency. All of these can be treated with specific chemicals that tree professionals know how to apply properly.
While some insects or diseases can be fought with chemical applications, many cannot be treated without replacing part of the tree. For this reason, forestry professionals also provide ‘tree replacement services’ as some trees may need to be replaced due to disease or insect infestation.
A tree fertilization service will begin the process by scouting your trees for the size and shape. They will also look for signs of disease or poor health, such as moss growing on the trunk or brown leaves.
If disease is found, the arborist may take samples to test what kind of disease it is and how severe it is. This way, they can plan how to treat it.
They will then talk with you about what kinds of trees are in your area and what kind of environment your trees need to be healthy. This includes things like moisture level and type, sunlight exposure, and temperature changes.
After this consultation, they will then come back with a plan to improve the health of your trees. This may include fertilization, but it could also include other treatments.
Tree fertilization should be performed by a professional with experience in tree fertilization. Most tree fertilization companies will have websites where you can look at their credentials and experience. You can also ask for references when hiring a tree fertilization service.
Not all companies use the same chemicals to promote tree growth. Some may use more effective chemicals than others, so it is important to look into this as well.
Some trees are not able to uptake chemical nutrients as efficiently as other trees. This is why it is important to use trees specific fertilizer for best results. A good professional will know what types of fertilizer to use for your specific type of tree.
The cost of tree fertilization varies depending on the size and type of tree, and how many trees are being treated. General costs range from $100-$200 per acre for initial treatment, then maintenance costs around $50 per acre every one to two years depending on the weeds that grow.
When choosing a tree service, consider the following:
Are they insured and licensed? If so, by what agency and to what extent are they insured? Most companies are insured for at least $1 million in liability. This provides some peace of mind in case of any damage to property or injury to individuals.
What kind of training do they have? Trainings include tree identification, tree health care, climbing training, and potential litigation training. All of these help ensure that they know what they are doing and increase the likelihood of a healthy tree recovery.
Are they familiar with the species of trees in your area? Some trees are more common in certain regions than others. A company that is knowledgeable about your area’s trees will be more effective in treating them.
Are they willing to talk to you about what they do? If you ask questions, then you should get answers.
If the tree is fertilized and grows normally, then the tree will grow to its appropriate size for its species and geographical location. If the tree is fertilized and grows faster, then it will grow too big for the space that it is in or intended to be in.
If the tree is fertilized and does not grow or grow slower, then the tree will remain smaller than intended. If the tree does not receive nutrients through fertilizer, then it will remain smaller and possibly die.
The cost of fertilizer varies depending on what type you purchase and how much you purchase. Generally, it costs around $30-$50 to cover one average sized trees with enough fertilizer to last a year.
If you forget to have your trees fertilized, you can always do it next year. There is no set time that you have to fertilize your trees.
However, if you wait too long, the tree may not respond as well. The best time to fertilize trees is in the spring when they start to wake up after winter.
If you notice your tree is not growing much or its leaves are looking brown and dried out, then you should check to see if it needs fertilizer. You can get tree fertilizer at most hardware stores or online.
Beaverton Oregon Tree Services also offers tree fertilization services if you would like someone else to do it for you.
There are some risks associated with tree fertilization services. Most of these risks come from applying too much fertilizer or applying the wrong type of fertilizer.
If too much fertilizer is applied, the tree can be damaged or even killed. If the wrong fertilizer is applied, the tree will not get the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Tree specialists are trained and experienced in how and when to apply fertilizer. You can also ask them about any worries you have about your tree and they can check its health through a inspection.
Tree specialists that offer fertilization services usually offer this as a part of their maintenance plan for trees. This means that they will check your tree for signs of decline and then fix it by applying fertilization services.
The cost of tree fertilization will depend on a few factors. The primary factor is what service you are having performed. Some services are less expensive than others.
Tree fertilization services typically price by the acre. So, how many acres of trees you have will determine the overall cost. Other factors include the type and number of trees, and how much work is required to perform the service.
For example, if you have fewer trees than average, then your service will be less expensive because less work is required. On the other hand, if you have many tall oak trees that require a lot of work to fertilize, then your service will be more expensive.
Another factor that influences cost is whether or not your yard contains invasive plants such as Japanese honeysuckle or garlic mustard. If these plants are present, then your specialist will need to take extra steps to ensure they are not contaminated with them.
If you have trees on your property, it is important to have them regularly fertilized. How often depends on what kind of tree you have and how old it is.
Young trees should be fertilized every year or two until they mature. Once they are an adult tree, they should be fertilized every three to five years. Evergreen trees like pines and firs should be fertilized annually because they retain their leaves throughout the year.
Deciduous trees like maples and oaks should be fertilized in the spring when they wake up and start producing new leaves. Coniferous trees like firs and pines do not produce leaves, so spring is not the best time to fertilize them.
Beaverton Tree Service does not recommend winter fertilization for coniferous trees due to limited nutrient availability at that time.