Deep Root Fertilization Builds Healthy Trees

Keep your trees healthy and beautiful or restore them to good health with deep root fertilization.

What is Deep Root Fertilization?

Deep root fertilization is a process where a high-quality organic nutrient solution (“fertilizer“) containing macronutrients, micronutrients, and important trace minerals is injected into the ground right in the root zone of trees. The materials are injected under pressure which helps aerate the root system.

What are the Benefits?

Pumping nutrients directly into the area around tree roots will:

• maintain already healthy trees;
• help struggling trees by replenishing depleted soil;
• help transplanted trees develop a better root system;
• get nutrients directly to the tree roots vs. top feeding which loses some nutrients to competing grass roots

How Is Deep Root Fertilization Done?

The objective of deep root fertilization is to encourage vigorous plant and root growth by establishing healthy soil biology and nutrient levels.

Using a long feeding needle, we pressure inject an organic blend of actively aerated compost tea, fish hydrolysate, kelp, humates, plant stimulants, and mycorrhizae fungi into the soil rhizosphere.  The soil rhizosphere is the narrow region of the soil that is directly influenced by root secretions and associated soil microorganisms.  Injection sites are made on 2 to 4 foot centers throughout the root zone, including around the drip line of the tree.

In addition to supplying nutrients where they are needed most, deep root fertilization helps open up compacted soils. This allows oxygen and water to reach the root zone under the canopy area and beyond the drip line.

When soils are disturbed, as in the transplanting process, it takes years for these trees and shrubs to develop a healthy, intricate network of structural and feeder roots. Additional factors like drought, construction, sprinkler installation, soil compaction, and grade changes can put a great deal of stress on trees, although you may not see the effects for 3-5 years or more. It takes a tree at least 5 years to recover from a drought, and during that time there are usually several additional drought periods.

This is why deep root fertilization of your key landscape trees should be a component of your landscape maintenance program at least every couple of years.

What’s the Best Time For Deep Root Fertilization?

Normally, deep root fertilization should be done every year to year and a half, typically in the spring or fall.

In instances where roots have been severely damaged, the soil is compacted (for example, after nearby construction), or the tree has other health problems, deep root fertilization can be done more often or at other times of year. It improves conditions in and around the root zone and helps improve overall tree health and vigor.

Give us a call at 908-309-6611 – we’ll take a look at your trees and let you know if they’d benefit from deep root fertilization. Estimates are always free.