One way to encourage root growth is through consistent fall fertilization.
Strong roots are important for the health and survival of your tree. They serve various purposes, including anchoring trees into the soil to keep them both stable and straight, absorbing water and taking in nutrients required for the trees to grow, along with repairing and development. During intense winter conditions, like plummeting temperatures, frozen grounds, and heavy ice and snow, roots are at serious risk of injury. Any disruption of nutrients and water uptake could severely affect the overall health of your trees. One way to encourage root growth is through consistent fall fertilization. Read on to learn more!
How Does Fall Fertilization Help Your Trees Survive in the Cold?
While the winter does not cause tree roots to become entirely dormant, they will slow down growth and nutrient uptake activity. Fall’s cooler temperatures and ample moisture while the soil is still warm are optimal for solid root growth. This is a good time to make sure that roots have the nutrients they need to grow. Despite popular opinion, there isn’t a “best time to fertilize.” Every season has its own benefits for the tree’s root system health. Fall could be advantageous because summer and spring applications of fertilizer could exacerbate specific pests and diseases.
Key Fall Fertilization Benefits for Your Tree Roots
Winterizing trees through fertilization could help ensure your tree’s health is in good shape through harsh winter weather conditions. Here’s some benefits of fertilizing your tree roots in the fall:
- Improved Root Development – Roots absorb and transport nutrients and water from the soil to the rest of the tree. During the fall, boosting those nutrients through fertilization will ensure that roots have the nutrients required for growth, which gives trees a much better chance at surviving throughout the winter.
- Stress Reduction – trees could be sensitive to stress in the cold winter months, much like they experience heat stress during the summer. Tree root system health helps trees become much more tolerant of extreme temperature changes.
- Improved Disease Resistance: Healthy trees with enough nutrition will not be under stress from nutrient deficiencies and will not be as vulnerable to pests or possible diseases.
Call Harford Tree today if you need help with fertilizing this fall!
Tree Care and Maintenance from Harford Tree
Ready to have the beautiful yard you have always dreamed of? Harford Tree Experts & Landscaping, Inc has been in the business for decades, providing customers with quality work and quick responses all at the right price. We service the areas of Harford County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City areas including Bel Air, Fallston, Perry Hall, Towson, Essex, Parkville, White Marsh and Middle River.
For service during business hours, reach out to us or give us a call at 410-592-7321. We offer 24/7 emergency service as well, just give us a call at 443-250-6649. For updates about our business and more informative tips, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.