Question Hello. I live in Albany, NY I had some 6 foot hemlocks put in last fall. I put down Hollytone the first week of April. The trees showed a lot of winterburn at the end of the winter. Also, while most are showing new growth (for several weeks now) a few of them are showing no growth at all yet.
When I raised the issue of the winterburn with the guy who put in the trees, he advised me to put down a second application of Hollytone the first week of June (in addition to this coming fall), even though the product instructions say to fertilize twice a year, in early spring and late fall. BTW, his advice was to use a cup and a half per tree, which is what I did in April.
I am wondering if it might be harmful to fertilize again now.I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.
Thanks.
David
AnswerIf you do use too much hollytone it will burn the roots. Holllytone is to add acid to the soil. I would supplyment the Hollytone with a good all around fertilizer like 10-10-10. Use about 1 lb per diameter of the tree trunk( if the trunk is 4 inches in diameter use 4 lbs of 10-10-10) Spread evenly under drip line of the tree but not within 1 foot of the trunk, water the fertilizer into the soil. Mulch with pine straw this will also add acid over time so you will not need the hollytone as often.
