“F” Is for Fertilizer for Fruit Trees

Fruit trees need fertilizer but they need a different combination than most other trees. The typical tree combination of fertilizers is a 4-1-1 blend. This blend is high in nitrogen which is what promotes leaf growth. While fruit trees do need lots of healthy leaves to support food production for the tree, if the tree puts all its energy into producing leaves, the flower and fruit production will suffer for it.


A low nitrogen blend like 1-1-1- or 1-2-1 is good choices for fruit trees. Your nitrogen should come in equal parts from slow release forms and water soluble forms. Water soluble means it breaks down all at once with contact with water. The plant roots can access this form immediately

Slow-release nitrogen can come from compost or manures, particularly horse or chicken. Just be sure to use aged manures because fresh manures are high in ammonia and can burn roots and young plants.

The best time to apply fertilizers for fruit trees is in the fall (another “F” word) or the winter ust before they go dormant so they can absorb the nutrients.

“E” is for Early Blooms

One of the things I love most about trees is the springtime blooms so many of them produce. After looking out my windows at dreary gray skies all winter and lifeless trees looking like desolate sentries doing their best to keep spring at bay, the tiniest little buds begin to emerge. They are just tiny specks at first, giving just a hint of the color about to erupt. Branches are soon speckled with buds and the color itself begins to actually breathe life in to the tree and in turn into me. I just thought I would share some photos of early spring bloomers that get my tree-loving blood pumping each spring.

Photo by Institute for Hamburger Studies on Wikimedia Commons

The flowering dogwood, particularly the pink varietry are among my favorite early spring-blooming trees.

photo by Rob Farrow on Wikimedia Commons

I have flowering plum trees and when they are in full bloom, there is nothing quite as beautiful.

photo by Theresa Leschmann



Redbuds adorn lawns and dot roadways adding varying degrees of pinkish-purple to the landscape.

photo by Theresa Leschmann

The flowering crabapple is another favorite with its deep, rich pinks. These trees really pack on the blossoms, giving them a lush look.