Question
We purchased a mountain ash tree in spring of '09; while it has grown and the foliage looks healthy, it has not had berries/fruit yet this year. It had berries on it when we planted it but didn't have any blooms or fruit since. Any suggestions?

Answer
Usually tree the first year or two after planting will concentrate the growth on the root system and may not produce flowers. As long as the foliage is full and healthy the tree is ok and I would guess it will start to flower next spring. You can go ahead and try adding fertilizer --apply 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. Apply just before a rain storm and you will not need to water. I would not use fertilizer spikes. These tend to concentrate the fertilizer in small area and can harm the root system. I would apply the fertilizer when the leaves start to turn this Fall. Also if you have not done so I would mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch. This will help hold moisture around the roots.