Tips for Fertilizing Arborvitae Trees
Arborvitae has built a reputation on its densely compacted, evergreen growth that provides excellent privacy coverage, here are some tips to help you fertilize your Arborvitae tree. Arborvitae trees perform well as a wind or noise buffer, they also hedge planting, accent planting for borders, corners, and ornamental placement. In general, arborvitae trees are resilient, hardy, fast growers that will require deliberate care only as young trees that are first becoming established. This further endears the arborvitae tree to beginning and expert gardeners alike, making it a popular choice for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 2 through 8. Learn from landscape experts how to fertilize and care for arborvitae trees in your own home garden or landscape setting.
Caring for an Arborvitae Tree
Young trees that are becoming established will need frequent watering, pruning, and fertilization as they grow. Any pruning that needs to be done will likely be for light maintenance and only to remove damaged or diseased branches, as the arborvitae tree generally maintains its shape quite well without any outside assistance.
Fertilizing an Arborvitae Tree
Arborvitae trees should be fertilized after planting and in the early spring. Experts recommend using an organic fertilizer that contains micronutrients, or a balanced fertilizer designed for use with trees and shrubs. Fertilize more frequently for young arborvitae trees trying to grow, and at least once annually so that trees can become mature and established. Mature trees are more equipped to resist disease, pests and fuller, dense foliage than younger ones. The best way to fertilize an arborvitae tree is to spread the fertilizer on the ground out from the trunk and to the edge of the tree canopy, then use a drip hose to gently offer moisture to take the fertilizer down into the root system. Another effective method is to apply fertilizer using a root feeder attached to a hose, this method offers fertilizer and waters the root system simultaneously.
