Call us for a free quote at 201-939-8733
Do My Trees Need Fertilizer?
That’s a good question with an answer that might surprise you. Trees don’t need fertilizer–What they need is nutrient-rich soil to help them thrive. So, it's not the trees that need the fertilizer, it's the soil!
But adding nutrients isn't always enough. Soil with all the necessary nutrients is worthless if a tree's roots can't absorb them. That's why soil condition and proper watering are critical.
If the soil can provide what the tree needs and the roots are able to take it all in, the tree can take care of itself. However, our New Jersey soil isn’t always up to the task.
Why Do Soils Need Added Nutrients?
In natural environments such as forests, the nutrients trees need, like carbon and nitrogen, are naturally recycled. When leaves and branches fall to the ground, they begin to decay. This allows the organic molecules they're made of to break down and become reincorporated into the soil. These nutrients are then absorbed by the trees' roots and become the building blocks of new growth.
Urban and suburban soils aren't as nutrient-rich as forest soil. The nutrients in the soil around our homes are often washed out before use. Additionally, suburban soils are often highly compacted to keep new homes from settling after construction. This is great for your home's foundation, but roots have difficulty expanding in this hard soil, and when we add a lack of nutrients, it's a recipe for poor tree health and reduced growth.
Did You Know?
Soil disturbances can stress your trees! If your trees aren’t doing well, check this list of possible stressors!
- Drought
- Construction projects
- Damaged roots
- Compacted soil
- New irrigation equipment
- Changes in grade that could affect runoff
How Aspen Tree Feeds the Soil
When we say we know trees, we mean it. We know what trees like and what they need to grow. Do your trees appear smaller than they should? Are they growing slower than your neighbors’ trees? Is their foliage not as thick and full as you’d expect? It could be a fertilization issue.
The Aspen Tree Service Approach to Soil Health
Soil Sampling
This is a New Jersey requirement before any tree fertilization plan is implemented. We test your soil to develop a custom plan to add what's missing without providing extra nutrients it may not need.
Radial Mulching
This technique allows us to strategically add mulch to the soil rather than just creating a surface mulch ring around the tree. By digging small trenches in the soil that look like the spokes in a wagon wheel (hence the term “radial”), we deliver nutrient-rich mulch directly to your trees' roots.
Soil Aeration
This process loosens compacted soil and creates the air pockets in the soil that roots need to absorb nutrients and water. This is an essential part of any fertilization regimen since added nutrients are only helpful if the roots can absorb them.
Tree & Shrub Fertilization Across Northern New Jersey
Aspen Tree Service Inc. provides professional tree and shrub fertilization services to properties across Essex, Bergen, Passaic, and Morris counties, New Jersey. Our specialists develop customized fertilization programs to strengthen your landscape and improve the vigor of your trees and ornamentals. Click on the button below for a full list of locations we serve, or give us a call at 201-939-8733 to learn more about our fertilization programs.
Teaneck
Garfield
East Orange
Passaic
Tree Nutrition & Fertilization FAQs
Contact Aspen Tree Service for a Free Quote on Tree Fertilization in Bergen, Essex, Passaic, and Morris Counties.
Call us at 201-939-8733 or request a quote online.
