The soil’s pH determines how much zinc is available to the tree so an annual soil test is a necessity. Young pecan trees do need a ready source of nutrients to promote rapid growth. For example, a tree 3 in (7.6 cm) thick needs about 0.3 lb (0.14 kg) of fertilizer. Give half the dose in April and the second half in June. Make sure you measure the tree’s trunk at about chest height in order to get a safe estimate on how much fertilizer you need. Avoid disturbing the root zone too much. If your soil is low in nitrogen, you can get a fertilizer with little to no other nutrients. Five-year-old trees need about 70 gallons of water each week. The fertilizer should list the N-P-K ratio somewhere … All of the tree’s energy will go into the leaves, leaving the roots short and weak. To test the soil, push a screwdriver or metal rod down into the soil. Drilling holes can help any tree absorb nutrients from fertilizer. For nitrogen fertilizers, use a slow-release fertilizer. Pecan trees are also heavily reliant on zinc, which is often lacking in many soils. 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. If you are growing a tree or two in your yard, 10-10-10 might be a suitable fertilizer for you, but you'll need to apply Zinc separately. For example, a 6-year-old tree would need 3 pounds of zinc sulfate annually, a 10-year-old tree would need 5 pounds of zinc sulfate, etc. How to Fertilize Trees. Pecan trees are native to the United States, but they mostly thrive in Southern locations and have long growing seasons. 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. A very high pH is more likely to cause problems with mineral uptake than a low pH. for pecan trees when the soil pH is above 6. Trees near these structures will need less fertilizer overall. The holes should reach about 1.5 times further than the reach of the branches. For every inch of thickness, broadcast a pound of 10-10-10. Expect the growth to slow down by then. As your pecan trees begin to come into bearing age, it is essential to provide Zinc Sulphate as a feed during the spring. 1. That’s what fertilizing nut trees is all about. While they are heavy feeders, a variety of ways to give the trees the nutrients they need exists. of nitrogen-based fertilizer for each inch of diameter of the trunk. The easiest way is to apply zinc sulphate beneath your pecan trees, but this might not be the best way. If you attempt to fertilize trees during the winter time than it’ll either runoff or be lost to leaching. This can cause rapid new growth, which can be damaged by early frosts or freezes. Consider your watering practices. All Rights Reserved. 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. This is probably not necessary for most trees, but you can be sure by having your soil tested in the spring by your local county extension office to see if another round of feeding is truly necessary. However, you still may wish to do this to understand exactly how much your tree is growing. Trees growing elsewhere benefit from a nitrogen fertilizer application in late spring, usually May or June. Pecans are large trees that have significant nutrient requirements. 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. % of people told us that this article helped them. You should apply the following: 1 pound of … It can be particularly useful if you rake up the tree’s leaves or if there are grass and other competing plants above the roots. Pecan trees can grow to more than 100 feet tall if given enough room, water and nutrients. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Spread nitrogen-rich fertilizer (ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate), if you do not use the compost method, around a mature tree’s drip line in late winter and early spring. Go to each of your trees and measure how thick it is at chest height. For newly planted pecan trees, spreading fertilizer by hand works well enough. The Importance of Zinc Application For Pecan Trees. You can use livestock manure for this application only if it is well-composted. When you broadcast nitrogen-rich fertilizer, do not allow it to touch the tree's trunk. This is known as the N-P-K ratio. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. @Barb Rosen has given you some excellent info. Pecan trees do not normally need phosphorus and potassium. If you add fertilizer too early, the tree will continue growing. If you would like to do it at another time the second best option is to apply tree fertilizer during the months of March, April or early May depending on where you live. When you broadcast nitrogen-rich fertilizer, do not allow it to touch the tree’s trunk. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Why Should You Feed Nut Trees? We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Pecan trees do not normally need phosphorus and potassium. A new tree will grow by approximately 9 to 12 in (23 to 30 cm) every year. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at University of California, Santa Barbara and her Master of Arts from San Jose State University. If you don't have a big garden, we don't recommend you grow pecan trees because they can reach up to 150 feet in height, and there are no dwarf varieties. Fall is the ideal time because the tree is still active, so it will absorb nutrients and store them for spring growth. Since pecan trees require fertilization, this 10-10-10 fertilizer comes with 2% zinc included. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Feed the pecan tree a dose of ammonium nitrate in April and June each year. {"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":"