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Maple Tree Manganese


Question
Thanks for the quick reply Jim. when all is said and done, after I go the nursury and buy what I need to buy to complete the job myself, do you think I will be saving much more than the $100 my lawn guy quoted me?
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Followup To

Question -
Hi Jim,

I live in south eastern Michigan.  Yesterday my lawn service guy showed me how the leaves on my 10 year old maple are yellowing.  He said the tree needs injections of Manganese.  They charge around $100 to do this.
If this is correct, is there a less costly way to take care of the problem for the average homeowner?

Answer -
Yes it can be done your self with the help of you local nursery.
Nutrient deficiency symptoms are yellow or yellowish-green leaves with darker green veins. The most commonly deficient nutrient on maple is manganese. Implanting capsules containing a manganese source in the trunk will alleviate the symptoms. Test soil samples to determine if the soil pH is too high for best manganese availability. Plants exposed to weed killers may also show similar symptoms.

Manganese Implants are useful in trees where manganese deficiencies are difficult to control by foliage or soil feeding. Manganese deficiencies are normally associated with calcareous, arid or sandy soil conditions. Trees most susceptible to manganese deficiencies: Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Norway Maple, Peach, Ornamental Cherry, Citrus, Palm Trees, Queen Palms, and certain deciduous fruit trees. This product is ideal for trees with a trunk diameter 3?or larger.

It maybe that the soil ph is too low and the manganese is tied up and is not availble to the tree. Need to have the ph tested and get it unear 7.0. Here is a web link for more information on how to do this.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07727.html

There are several compounds that cn be applied either to the soil or sprayed on the foliage (soil application is the better). Ofcourse the implants can also be used.
While these nutrients are required in the largest amounts, all green plant require several other mineral nutrients. These include: calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese copper, boron, zinc, and molybdenum. Most soils contain adequate amounts of these nutrients, however, one or more is occasionally deficient.

Iron deficiency is perhaps the most common, especially in alkaline soils or where lime has recently been added. In such soils, iron may indeed be present, but unavailable for absorption by the roots due to the alkaline soil. Lack of iron can cause chlorosis - characterized by light yellow-green color in the foliage. Pin oak is particularly sensitive to iron deficiency.

Chlorotic conditions can corrected by applying acidic materials to increase the acidity of the soil solution. Powdered sulfur is effective at the rate of 1 3/4 to 2lb./100 sq. ft of soil surface. Successive treatments may be required.

Iron chelates, a form of iron fertilizer, work even quicker to correct this problem. These compounds provide an immediate supply of available iron which is unaffected by the soil reaction. They may be applied to the foliage, but soil applications give longer lasting benefits. When using iron chelates be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Manganese deficiency has been observed in maple trees growing on highly alkaline limestone soils. Manganese sulfate or manganese chelate foliar sprays have improved foliage color and general appearance. When using these or similar compounds, be sure to follow manufacturer directions.

I would check with a good local nursery and ask for a ph measuring kit and then if needed ask how to correct the ph and what to add for the manganese.

Answer
I would think you would be better doing it yourself and a lot less than the $100. The  Manganese Tree Implants, Medicap MN 3/8", 5 Per Package run about 8-10 dollars, not sure what manganese chelate foliar sprays 13% soil application  will cost but would guess max 10-15 dollars (do not need much 2 tbs per inch of tree diameter) mixed in  water. The ph test kits run about $14, Plus your time. IF you get it done make sure they test the ph and correct it first or the manganese will not be absorbed by the tree.

web link for manganese :http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:PRv7LZ3gnzkJ:www.montereychemical.com/label/

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