March 8, 2003

Question: I have a professional service fertilize my new lawn and they are doing a good job. I use a palm and ixora fertilizer on those plants and they are also doing very well. What fertilizer should I use on my trees?

- G. Nester, e-mail

Answer: If you live on the typical sized lot, your plants are probably in much closer associated with each other than you might imagine, feeding off the same dinner plate. Roots of trees and shrubs extend many feet beyond their drip lines mixing it up with the roots of nearby turf and with each others. While they may not be rubbing leaves, unbeknown to many gardeners, plants are more often than not competing for fertilizer and soil nutrients. As with people, there is no one diet for most plants and one good fertilizer often serve the need of many species. So fertilizing the turf often means simultaneous and adequate fertilization of nearby trees and large bushes. Generally, however, one should first fertilize for the plant most inclined to show nutritional deficiency symptoms, usually the palms. Since you are getting good responses from your current fertilizer practice, continue to fertilize as you are now. It is probably not necessary to buy a separate fertilize for your trees, the palm and ixora fertilizer will work just fine.