Dogwood Tree Care Fertilizer

Therefore when caring for dogwood trees this should be considered carefully before placement in the landscape.

Dogwood tree care fertilizer. If you notice any white cotton like masses. Adding a generous amount of mulch will help retain the water and cut down on watering tasks. Nitrogen provides the basic structure. Young trees are often killed by gardeners eager to boost growth with too much fertilizer.

How to grow dogwood trees. Before you apply any fertilizer for dogwoods it is a good idea to test your soil and see what nutrients it lacks and if the ph is suited to your plant. In their natural habitat dogwoods are understory trees which are generally surrounded or protected by other larger trees. Once established water the tree at least up to six inches.

The abundance of nitrogen denoted by the first number reflects this element s importance to the tree. If you have an established dogwood that you feel would benefit from fertilization have your soil tested to determine the best course of action. After new leaves have begun to emerge. A dogwood tree planted in clay soil will eventually rot and die as it will hold water for too long.

You can test the ph of your soil easily with a kit purchased at the nursery or online. For this reason it is often safest to hold off on fertilizing until your tree is in its second season. The soil quality shouldn t be too sandy nor should it be heavy clay. Be careful when fertilizing a young dogwood tree many newly planted trees are killed by applying too much fertilizer.

When to fertilize a dogwood tree i fertilize my dogwood trees during their spring bloom cycle just prior to when their new leaves will begin to emerge. Proper dogwood care will bring these lovely trees to their height of beauty. Dogwood trees grow well with a 12 4 8 fertilizer ratio. I always apply a 1 to 2 inch layer of cured shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around the tree in spring.

It is best to let a newly planted dogwood grow on its own for the first year. Fertilize them in spring with a slow release shrub tree food preferably one that contains sulfur and or iron. If the soil is not acidic you can use an acid lover s fertilizer suitable for such plants as rhododendron and holly. Dogwood trees need well drained humus soil that is ideally slightly acidic.

Alternatively you can feed with a natural organic plant food or simply mulch with aged organic compost. Fertilize the tree with a water based fertilizer during spring and summer months. Closely examine the leaves. Dogwood trees need slightly acidic soil to thrive.