What kind of fertilizer for arborvitae

Some varieties are also very fast growing, and make perfect privacy hedges, wind breaks, and natural borders. Because arborvitae are native to North America, the shrubs and trees do just fine without fertilizing.

Newly planted arborvitae should not be fertilized. It could lead to fertilizer burn on young plants with root systems that are shallow and not yet developed. It is recommended that you use nutrient rich soil when planting instead of applying fertilizer. Mature and established arborvitae can be fertilized to help speed up growth rate and help the plant grow stronger branches.

It will also help encourage green leafy foliage and speed up the growth rate each year. If the plant looks sick, do not turn to fertilizer. It could stress the plant even more and will often kill the bush or tree. More often than not, the wrong amount of watering is the problem. And fertilizing will only make matters worse. If using fertilizer for arborvitae, apply 1 pound of fertilizer for every inch of trunk diameter; then increase to 2 pounds of fertilizer for every inch of trunk diameter beyond 6 inches, recommends the University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension.

Fertilizer doesn't need to be applied every year unless the tree is growing very slowly. Under normal garden conditions, every two to three years is fine. Spread the fertilizer in an even layer over the entire root zone. If possible, apply fertilizer just before a heavy rain so that it will penetrate deep into the soil. Water thoroughly after feeding if no rain is forecast, providing roughly 1 to 2 inches of water.

Take care not to get the fertilizer on the trunk of the tree because it could burn the young bark. Sasha Degnan is a freelance writer and educator specializing in gardening and horticulture. She has nearly 25 years of experience in the propagation and care of plants. By Sasha Degnan Updated May 20, Related Articles. This is in part because of the sensitive root system evergreens typically have and how instant formulas can end up damaging your plant.

Most times, slow or continuous formulas feed your plant for up to six months, which is perfect for arborvitae. Here is a slow, continuous release of evergreen fertilizer from the Scotts to try. Follow this link to see it on Amazon. Typically, you should fertilize your arborvitae tree in the early spring before its growing season. If you want to try adding coffee grounds to your arborvitae trees soil, we recommend against it. In general, save using coffee grounds for plants like azaleas or blueberries, which can handle higher acidity levels.

Usually, an arborvitae tree grows at a moderate speed of one to two feet per year until it reaches full maturity. Generally, arborvitae trees prefer full sun, well-draining soil, and grow in zones 2 through 7. If your arborvitae tree is looking leggy, there are a few ways to fix this issue. First, trim any overhead branches that may be blocking the sun from your tree, which can cause it not to grow as well.

Next, make sure you prune your arborvitae regularly so that it can focus its energy on new growth. Another way to encourage arborvitae to thicken out is to add fertilizer around the base of your tree that is rich in nitrogen. Regardless, it is always a good idea to trim back arborvitae before spring and not let them grow out too wide and leggy.

Here is a slow-release nitrogen-rich fertilizer from EasyGo Product that will work for arborvitae. This fertilizer comes in a pound bag, is eco-friendly, and promises to be helpful even during drought.

Check it out on Amazon by clicking here. For those of you with shadier gardens, hope is not all lost for planting arborvitae.