How Deep-Root Fertilization Helps Your Trees Get Healthier

Trees and shrubs in urban and suburban areas need a helping hand when it comes to getting all the nutrients they need. They’re up against a larger number of stressors compared to their friends living in rural or natural areas. By utilizing deep-root fertilization several times a year, you’ll help your largest ornamental plants withstand environmental problems and continue to thrive for many years to come. Here’s how.

What Is Deep-Root Fertilization

Deep-root fertilization is a process that delivers nutrients to the root system of your trees. This is accomplished by using a special high-pressure tool that looks like a syringe a doctor would use to give you a shot. This method allows your arborist to reach deep beneath the soil, which helps your trees soak up a greater number of nutrients than they would if we were to disperse fertilizer on the soil’s surface.

Why Deep-Root Fertilization Is Better Than Surface Feedings

Surface fertilization is just fine for turfgrass and flowers, but it’s not ideal for larger plants. Trees absorb nutrients from their root system, and the larger the tree, the deeper the root system is. When you sprinkle granulated fertilizer on the earth surrounding the tree, it may never reach the root zone. Plus, any nearby plants like turfgrass or flowers will compete with that tree for the fertilizer. However, by injecting a concentrated dose of nutrients into the ground beneath the tree, we can ensure that the tree – and only the tree – will absorb the fertilizer. It’s truly a vital part of any tree and shrub care regimen.

How To Tell If Your Tree Needs Fertilizer

Trees lacking in fertilizer will start to lose leaves, wilt, turn yellow or brown, and eventually die. Essentially, unfertilized trees will slowly starve to death. Here are a few key signs of malnourished trees and shrubs:

• The foliage is not as thick
• The tree has fewer flowers or none at all this year
• Leaves are yellow, brown, or pale green instead of rich green
• There are spots on the leaves
• The tips of branches have started to thin or die out completely
• The tree had slow or no growth this year

While it’s advisable to have deep-root feeding done every spring and fall, if your tree has any of the above symptoms, you should consider having a treatment done as soon as possible. While it’s not guaranteed that your tree will be rescued, the sooner we can get nutrients to the root zone, the higher the chances it will recover and survive.

Benefits Of Deep-Root Fertilization Treatments

Giving your tree a deep-root feeding doesn’t only improve the appearance of the tree. It will increase its health and make it more resilient. Cold winter weather, pests, and fungal diseases all can take their toll, but if your tree is healthy, it’s less likely to fall victim to these issues. Benefits of deep-root fertilization include:

• Restore the thickness, health, and color of the foliage
• Encourages new growth of shoots and branches
• Staves off chlorosis (lack of chlorophyll) which causes yellowed leaves
• Improves soil conditions
• It helps break up hard compacted soil surrounding the tree
• Raises tree’s resistance to pests and microscopic diseases like mold, mildew, and fungi
• Reduces weather damage from extreme cold or heat

When To Perform Deep-Root Feedings

Ideally, you should have deep-root feedings as part of your spring and fall yard and lawn maintenance routine. However, if your tree’s health is on the decline, give us a call right away so we can do our best to save your tree. During your visit, our certified arborists will not only perform the treatment, but they’ll also inspect your plants and alert you of any other problems they see so we understand the specific needs of your landscaping. After we’ve nourished your trees and shrubs from the outside, our arborists will also apply a protective dormant oil spray to kill overwintering insects and keep new pests from bothering your plants.

Find Tree And Lawn Service Near Tupelo, MS

Let’s put your trees and shrubs’ health back on track. TruGreen Midsouth has been a trusted name in the lawn care service industry for many years. Our tree and shrub care program provides multiple deep-root fertilization treatments, so your larger plants are never short on nutrients. In addition, we offer protective sprays to keep diseases and pests away. To learn more or schedule an appointment, give us a call at one of our local offices, or you can reach out to us online here.

For service in Mississippi, call 662-330-1330. Visit our Tupelo office’s Facebook page here.

For service in Louisiana, call 225-465-0665. Visit our Baton Rouge office’s Facebook page here.