Live Oak fertilizing

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jpolk34 Hattiesburg, MS(Zone 8a) Mar 05, 2007

I planted a 20 gallon live oak in my front yard last March and was considering fertilizing it before Spring. Anyone have any recommendations on what type fertilizer works best? And also, the best method to use in fertilizing it. Thanks.

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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Mar 05, 2007

Some mulch to keep grass/weeds at bay, spread over an area about a metre radius from the trunk, and 5-10cm thick. No fertiliser, unless a soil test shows a marked deficiency in anything.

Resin

Post #3250083
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bettydee La Grange, TX(Zone 8b) Mar 05, 2007

I found this in a MSU Extension Service pamphlet.

Quoting:
Large old oaks typically need less care than younger developing trees but they do fare better if not abused or neglected. Take time to soil test a tree's root zone once every few years and apply fertilizer accordingly. Consider hiring a licensed arborist to remove dead or dying limbs, especially those that may overhang your home or other structure. Resist the urge to pave or park within the trees root zone. Underestimating the area needed by a tree for normal growth may lead to tree health problems. The root zone can be estimated to be one-and-a-half times the distance from the trunk to the outer extent of the limbs. If this distance is 20 feet, for example, the root zone likely extends a full 30 feet or more from the trunk in all directions.


This link will provide the address for your local extension service office. They may be your best bet. If they have services similar to what we have, soil testing is provided once a year at a very reduced price.

Post #3251485
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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Mar 05, 2007

Quoting:
soil testing is provided once a year at a very reduced price

Even at reduced price, that is an awful waste of money! Soil doesn't change much, unless you're growing nutrient-hungry agricultural crops. One test, just before you plant the trees, and then you won't need to do it ever again, as the soil will only slowly improve when left under a tree slowly being enriched by leaf fall, etc. It is very rare for trees to need any fertiliser at all, only on exceptionally poor soils (and too much fertiliser can be a bad thing, making for soft growth with little storm resistance).

Resin

Post #3251696
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LAINIMOO Bloomingdale, IL(Zone 5a) Mar 05, 2007

I don't know much, but I have an older Pin Oak which was looking very sickly. I hired an arborvist who promptly attached a large plastic container with nutrients (I believe it was Iron plus ?) that fed the surrounding ground (using tubes). This went on for about a week and the next season, my Pin Oak was just beautiful. I know Jpolk is referring to a newbie tree, but thought I'd mention that some older Oaks, (especially the PIN) may need an extra boost. That was a few years ago, and she still is looking healthy.

Post #3251740
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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Mar 05, 2007

Quoting:
That was a few years ago, and she still is looking healthy

Exactly! Even for a tree on very poor soil; one treatment to remedy the poor soil is enough, no need for repeating the treatment every year!

Resin

Post #3251755
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Decumbent Cincinnati, OH(Zone 6b) Mar 05, 2007

And pin oaks are notorious for going chlorotic and needing iron. Usually it is because they are planted where they ought not to be, or, pin oaks with a provenance from low pH soil regions are planted (instead of higher pH adapted local genotype) in areas with higher pH than they can tolerate.

Scott

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