Tips & Tricks

What Type of Fertilizer Do I Need?
Fertilizer is made up of macronutrients (Potassium, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen) and micronutrients (such as Manganese, Magnesium, and Iron). These minerals all have different effects on the maturation of a tree and different trees need different amounts. It is important to ensure that you use the right fertilizer for your tree. To find out how to obtain the correct fertilizer for your trees or shrubs, click here.

Where Do I Put The Fertilizer?
The purpose of using fertilizer is to put the macronutrients and micronutrients where they will best be taken up by the tree’s roots. Thus, it is necessary to fertilize throughout the entire root structure. In general, the roots extend well beyond the outer reach of a tree’s branches.

The fertilizer must also be placed underneath the roots of any competing plants such as grass or other ground cover. Spreading granular fertilizer on the lawn might make your grass greener, but it will likely not help your tree.

When Should I Fertilize My Tree?
A good time to fertilize in most northern temperate climates is from fall to mid-spring. At these times the tree’s roots take the nutrients from the soil and apply them to important health-promoting functions such as root development and disease resistance, rather than simply putting out new growth.

During the growing season, fertilizing can help a tree overcome mineral deficiencies and fight off infections. If you are fertilizing in mid- to late summer, avoid formulations high in nitrogen as this will just promote weak, new growth that may be easily damaged in the winter.

When You Need Help
We want to be your “go to” resource for taking care of your trees. Whether it’s giving the best tree maintenance advice possible to take care of them or if you need the best company in Kennewick for tree removal, we are here for you. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

This year could be a warm one for the Tri-Cities. Taking care of your trees and making sure they have enough water will be critical in their health and survival. We have put together a series of tips and “must dos” for your home’s trees.

Know When to Water
The quickest way to check soil moisture is to take a long (6”-plus) screwdriver and poke it into the soil. It will pass easily into moist soil, but be difficult to push into dry soil. If you can’t poke it in at least 6″, it’s time to water. This technique works best in clay and loam soils.

How to Apply Water
Overhead sprinklers are the easiest way to cover large expanses, but they’re inefficient, losing up to half the water to evaporation. Trees are better served by watering methods that apply water slowly, right at soil level. It may take several hours to properly water a single mature tree.

Soaker Hose
A soaker hose, such as the one in our Snip-n-Drip Soaker System, applies water slowly so it soaks in rather than running off.

Soaker hoses are an efficient way to water trees because they’re porous and release water slowly. Encircle a tree with a spiral of soaker hose and run it for an hour or more — as long as it takes for water to penetrate 6″ or 8″, using the screwdriver test.

Pro Tip #3
Not enough water is harmful for the tree but too much water is bad as well. Overwatering is a common mistake. Please note that moist is different than soggy, and you can judge this by feel. A damp soil that dries for a short period will allow adequate oxygen to permeate the soil.

As a rule of thumb your soil should be moist. Usually 30 seconds with a steady stream of water from a garden hose w/ a diffuser nozzle per tree seedling is sufficient. Mulching is also key in retaining moisture in the soil.

You can check soil moisture by using a garden trowel and inserting it into the ground to a depth of 2″, and then move the blade of the trowel back and forth to create a small narrow trench. Then use your finger to touch the soil. If it is most to the touch, then they do not need water.

When You Need Help
We want to be your “go to” resource for taking care of your trees. Whether it’s giving the best tree maintenance advice possible to take care of them or if you need the best company in Pasco for tree removal, we are here for you. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

This year could be a warm one for the Tri-Cities. Taking care of your trees and making sure they have enough water will be critical in their health and survival. We have put together a series of tips and “must dos” for your home’s trees.

Symptom #2 – Root Exposure
Trees affected by not enough water will also start showing some root at the surface. The ground around the tree will be cracked, and you can be assured that your plant roots are not getting the moisture or nutrients they need to grow properly. Make sure you water your tree so that they do not have difficulty producing healthy limbs and leaves. Finally, too little water for a tree means that the tree will eventually die. If you want to make sure your tree live long and healthy, you need to be sure that you supply enough water.

Pro Tip #2
Shrubs and trees are often the “neglected orphans” around your property. Not everyone thinks to water them. You can drill holes 12 inches deep and 24 inches apart in the ground around your trees and let water run into the holes. Add liquid fertilizer to save the life of trees during a critical drought. Feeding promotes new root growth and sustains tree vigor over the long haul. Use mulches – wood chips, pine needles, sawdust, sphagnum, or even cocoa bean hulls – to keep tree roots cool and moist. Dig away the sod at the tree’s base and fill in with mulch.

When You Need Help
We want to be your “go to” resource for taking care of your trees. Whether it’s giving the best tree maintenance advice possible to take care of them or if you need the best company in Richland for tree removal, we are here for you. We look forward to speaking with you soon.