Expect the growth to slow down by then. The trees have spreading canopies and a root system that extends far beyond the drip line, requiring you to otherwise cover an increasingly large area with compost. For every inch of thickness, broadcast a pound of 10-10-10. Areas such as sidewalks, driveways, and buildings don’t count when determining the tree’s growing area. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. If you don’t fertilize your trees regularly, you may ask why you should do it at all. An older tree will grow by about 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) every year. Healthy trees often do not need extra nutrients. Spread a thick (3 to 4 inches deep) layer of compost around the tree’s drip line (the outer edge of the branches) once a year to provide it with a steady source of nutrition. Zinc is necessary for normal tree growth and the development of the nuts. Always read the entire label before you apply any fertilizer. Pecan trees can also be initially planted at a high density on 30-foot to 35-foot centers, 36 to 49 trees per acre, with some of the trees being temporary and some permanent. This option grows in its appeal as the tree grows in size. @Barb Rosen has given you some excellent info. So, if your tree is 20 inches in diameter, you should use 80 pounds of fertilizer. But if you have not had a soil test done, there are some general guidelines to follow for fertilizing your pecan trees. Different fertilizers have different rates of application. General fertilizers for woody plants will have a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 8-1-1 or 15-5-5. Apply 1 lb. For example, a tree 3 in (7.6 cm) thick needs about 0.3 lb (0.14 kg) of fertilizer. Also be aware of any utility lines under the soil so you avoid damaging them. Smith Farm Supply’s custom blended pecan fertilizer eliminates this two-step process and you can rest assured your trees get the right percentages needed. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at University of California, Santa Barbara and her Master of Arts from San Jose State University. This article has been viewed 6,695 times. Nitrogen:Pecans must have nitrogen to grow well. Fertilizer spikes are not appropriate to use with pecan trees; they fertilize too small an area relative to the size of a pecan's root system. Apply half the 34-0-0 in April and the remainder in June.” The optimum pH range for pecan trees is 6.0 to 6.5. If you add fertilizer too early, the tree will continue growing. Scratch it into the top 1 to 2 inches of soil and water deeply to soak the top 2 to 3 inches of soil. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Instead, apply it several feet from the trunk around the tree's drip line. Some of these tests may not be as detailed as an official test, but usually the results can help you figure out how to improve your soil. Do not fertilize pecans after June. Pecans are nut-bearing trees that are native to the southern United States, particularly in Texas, where it is the state tree. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. For non-commercial growers, a fertilizer containing zinc is the best for your pecan trees. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! As your pecan trees begin to come into bearing age, it is essential to provide Zinc Sulphate as a feed during the spring. Pecan trees produce nuts based on how many leaves were present the previous year. This can cause rapid new growth, which can be damaged by early frosts or freezes. Avoid applying fertilizer every year. How to Fertilize Trees. The best way to have lots of leaves is to fertilize regularly. Water once a week, giving young trees at least seven gallons. She contributes to "Big Island Weekly," "Ke Ola" magazine and various websites. for pecan trees when the soil pH is above 6. Apply nitrogen at bud break in April and again in May and June. Learn tips on how to keep pecan trees healthy such as, proper pruning, zinc spraying, applying nitrogen fertilizer and proper watering practices. If you dug holes to access the roots, fill the holes with the fertilizer. For mature trees, follow the general rule of six pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter (e.g., a tree with a 10-inch trunk diameter would receive 60 pounds of 10-10-10). Providing too much fertilizer can be as dangerous as not providing enough! 3 x 0.10 = 0.3. The soil’s pH determines how much zinc is available to the tree so an annual soil test is a necessity. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. If the tree grows in a fertilized lawn, this is usually the only general-purpose fertilizer application needed. Pecans have really suffered. References. As a gardener, you need to do the same thing for your nut trees. Apply fertilizer every 2 to 3 years as needed to avoid over-fertilizing. A new tree will grow by approximately 9 to 12 in (23 to 30 cm) every year. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. If you want something ready-made, you can also make do with this Carl Pool Pecan Special Fertilizer, an 18-6-6 mixed with pecan trees in mind. Avoid fertilizing young pecan trees: They typically grow very slowly during their first year. This is a fertilizer made with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Most of the roots will be no more than 18 in (46 cm) below the surface, so be careful. When you broadcast nitrogen-rich fertilizer, do not allow it to touch the tree’s trunk. Lava sand, ground cornmeal or dry molasses are the recommended choices for use in February. This can cause rapid new growth, which can be damaged by early frosts or freezes. Another way to estimate how much fertilizer you need is to multiply the tree’s age by 0.10. Please enter your email address. Types of Fertilizer. Do not fertilize after July because the rapid new growth can make your tree subject to frost damage later in the year. Go to each of your trees and measure how thick it is at chest height. And, fertilize your tree when it lacks nutrients. Five-year-old trees need about 70 gallons of water each week. Newly planted tree phase - these trees are still babies and should have only minimal applications of a quick release fertilizer and more of a type that releases slowly. Avoid disturbing the root zone too much. Weed and insect Pecans need deep, well-drained, loamy soil that is rich in nutrients such as organic plant material or compost. When your kids get hungry, you feed them. The pecan tree requires deep watering with emphasis in … If you use this option, apply again, at half strength, in June and September. To make compost tea, place one quart of compost in a five-gallon bucket, add water and wait one day before using the solution. For nitrogen fertilizers, use a slow-release fertilizer. Consider your watering practices. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Pecan trees benefit from fertilizer twice a year. If your soil is low in nitrogen, you can get a fertilizer with little to no other nutrients. It should come out wet and dirty. All of the tree’s energy will go into the leaves, leaving the roots short and weak. This should be done late in the dormant season for your trees, which will be around February and March. That’s what fertilizing nut trees is all about. Try as best as you can to avoid all of these roots. Older trees require even more. Drought conditions over the past 10 years or more have played havoc with all trees. of nitrogen-based fertilizer for each inch of diameter of the trunk. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Fertilize-Trees-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Fertilize-Trees-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Fertilize-Trees-Step-1.jpg\/aid8845459-v4-728px-Fertilize-Trees-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"