Take a walk through the woods, and you’ll likely find yourself surrounded by tall, healthy trees—nature’s beauty in full effect. Achieving such majesty doesn’t come easily for trees in your backyard though. 

But why?

Yards are a much more challenging environment for trees.

Soil found on the forest floor is rich in nutrients that come from fallen leaves and twigs. When we remove those leaves from our yard, the soil on our property has fewer nutrients to offer. Combine that with the fact that trees are competing with hungry lawns and other plants for resources, and it’s a less-than-ideal situation for growth and development.

Much like we use fertilizer to keep our lawns healthy, applying a slow-release fertilizer to the ground around our trees during the fall offers these three benefits: 

  1. Replenishing nutrients lost during the summer.

  2. Supporting healthy, deep roots that anchor trees.

  3. Promoting healthy growth in trees, with improved size and color.

So, how do you choose the right fertilizer for your trees?

Find a tree fertilizer with a slow (also called controlled) release and low salt index. And, look for a product that’s best suited for your region.

In the Northern and Western regions, Davey arborists use Arbor Green PRO®. It blends three key macro-nutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), to mimic the natural environment and give trees the nutrients they need to thrive. Arbor Green PRO® also contains PPA, an amino acid that helps enhance nutrient availability while reducing nutrient loss from rain or watering.

Trees in the Southeast region are a little different. They can be lacking the macro-nutrients mentioned above, but they’re also often faced with a micro-nutrient deficiency, meaning essentials like potassium, magnesium, manganese or boron are in short supply. Scientists at The Davey Institute created Arbor Green Xtra plus B to address that. It combines all the nutrients—both macro and micro—that Southern trees need to look and grow their best.

Contact your local Davey arborist to schedule a free consultation.

Related Blog Posts

Dsc 0716
Soil Care & Mulching

Should Humates Be Applied Before or After Fertilizer?

You don’t have to apply humates before or after fertilizer; you can actually mix humates with other fertilizers and apply them at the same time.
Read More
Best Fertilizer For Evergreens Davey Tree
Plant Health Care

What is the Best Fertilizer for Evergreen Trees?

Got an evergreen with a "blah" color? Do a soil test to see if it needs fertilizer. Then, decide between a slow-release product or evergreen spike. First...
Read More
Tree
Tree

Sign Up For Free Tree & Landscaping Tips! 

Subscribe to the "The Sapling," the Davey Blog's email newsletter, for the latest tips to keep your outdoor space in tip-top shape throughout the year.

Plus, receive a free instant download of our landscape seasonal checklists when you sign up!

Two Employees
Two Employees

Get In Touch With Us!

We pride ourselves at Davey Tree on providing prompt, professional and personalized service from certified arborists that live, work and engage in your community. Contact one of our Davey Tree specialists for your residential, commercial, utility, or environmental needs.

Let's Find What
You're Looking For!