Dogwood Tree Care Fertilizer

Dogwood trees need well drained humus soil that is ideally slightly acidic.

Dogwood tree care fertilizer. The soil quality shouldn t be too sandy nor should it be heavy clay. In their natural habitat dogwoods are understory trees which are generally surrounded or protected by other larger trees. Closely examine the leaves. For this reason it is often safest to hold off on fertilizing until your tree is in its second season.

After the first year. Adding a generous amount of mulch will help retain the water and cut down on watering tasks. How to grow dogwood trees. Nitrogen provides the basic structure.

Water the tree regularly during the initial months and hot spells. Proper dogwood care will bring these lovely trees to their height of beauty. If the soil is not acidic you can use an acid lover s fertilizer suitable for such plants as rhododendron and holly. Be careful when fertilizing a young dogwood tree many newly planted trees are killed by applying too much fertilizer.

Young trees are often killed by gardeners eager to boost growth with too much fertilizer. Once established water the tree at least up to six inches. If you notice any white cotton like masses. You can test the ph of your soil easily with a kit purchased at the nursery or online.

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. Alternatively you can feed with a natural organic plant food or simply mulch with aged organic compost. A dogwood tree planted in clay soil will eventually rot and die as it will hold water for too long. Fertilize the tree with a water based fertilizer during spring and summer months.

The abundance of nitrogen denoted by the first number reflects this element s importance to the tree. 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. Dogwood trees grow well with a 12 4 8 fertilizer ratio. If you have an established dogwood that you feel would benefit from fertilization have your soil tested to determine the best course of action.

It is best to let a newly planted dogwood grow on its own for the first year. I always apply a 1 to 2 inch layer of cured shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around the tree in spring. Dogwood trees need slightly acidic soil to thrive. After new leaves have begun to emerge.