Fertilizing mature trees - Ask Extension
Hello. I have several trees 15 -20 years old that I have watered well over the years but have rarely fertilized. From my MG and some horticulture trai...
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Fertilizing mature trees #891669
Asked January 17, 2025, 12:23 PM EST
Hello. I have several trees 15 -20 years old that I have watered well over the years but have rarely fertilized. From my MG and some horticulture training, I'm thinking that my clay soil should be providing most or all of what they need, and have been searching for resources to clarify. Can you point me to something that will help me understand if I should be fertilizing my trees? They include pine, spruce, junipers, oak, serviceberry, ash, crabapple, ornamental pear, hawthorne, and a variegated maple, which is doing surprisingly well. Thanks very much for any assistance.
Adams County Colorado
Expert Response
There is still a lot we don't know about fertility needs of trees over their lifespan, however if you fertilize your turf it is likely you're providing sufficient nutrition for your trees. If the area around is mulched without landscape fabric, the mulch over time will decompose and provide nutrients for the trees. Does that help? Are you seeing anything that leads you to believe the trees may be deficient in any nutrients?
Happy to chat further as well,
Happy to chat further as well,