Pear Tree - How to fertilize?

7 years ago

We have a three year old pear tree and it's growing very slowly. I'm curious if there is a way to help it out, my first thought is to fertilize it.

i have spike fertilizers, should I put them in now since the forsythia has bloomed?

Any other ideas/thoughts? I'm very "green" when it comes to trees and their care.

-Skip

Featured Answer

Embothrium

7 years ago

Spikes can be ground up and broadcast like granular fertilizer instead of put in the trash.

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Comments (14)

User
7 years ago
Not sure how fast a pear tree should grow but the problem may not be fertilizer. By three years old, are you saying this is the third growing season coming up? A tree can take a year or two to establish roots before it starts putting on top growth.

Also, how is it planted? Is the root flare at the surface of the ground or slightly above? Does the tree have to compete with grass growing right up to the trunk? How about water?

Spike fertilizer is a very inefficient way to apply fert. and you can do damage to the root system as the spike initially concentrates all in one spot and if you put them out side the root radius, a lot is wasted.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
a good place to start.. is for you to tell us what type of pear it is ... a fruit tree.. or the invasive ornamental...

that said ... if a tree is struggling.. it is RARELY a fert issue ... you can not fix poor stock.. or improper planting by trying to feed it ..

trees are not children.. they do NOT need to be fed ... unless a soil test indicates something is lacking in the soil ...

tree spikes are COMPLETELY useless.. throw them away ...

if you fert your lawn.. and its in the lawn.. it will get anything it might need ..

ken
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Logan L Johnson
7 years ago
The quick and easy thing to say is that you don't. At all. Post a photo of the tree. There may be other problems causing slow growth and health issues. The way I take it, the tree is surviving, instead of thriving. This could be due to improper planting, pruning, mulching, etc. We need more information, including what type of pear.
Red (6a SW PA) Skip
Original Author
7 years ago
Unfortunately I work, and not able to snap photos or replay as quickly as some may like. It's a Bradford Pear Tree, three years old. I've never pruned it, nor does it have mulch around the base of it. It doesn't look dead, or that it's struggling, just really slow to develop any growth. Perhaps it will take off this year? I fertilized my lawn this spring, last year I did not, and perhaps with the fertilizer within the growing window for trees, it will take off nicely.

Any other thoughts?
Logan L Johnson
7 years ago
Cut it down and replace it with a more desirable tree.
Red (6a SW PA) Skip
Original Author
7 years ago
You're a real gem there Logan.
brandon7 TN_zone7
7 years ago
I gotta say, Logan has a point!
Logan L Johnson
7 years ago
"You're a real gem there Logan."

Lol

Here are some suggestions to start with:

cercis canadensis 'royal white'

cornus florida

cornus kousa 'snow tower'

Yoshino Cherry (disease prone but still better than bradford pear)

craetaegus virdis 'Winter King'
Konrad..just outside of Edmonton Alberta
7 years ago
It takes 2 to 3 years for some pears to get established then you should see good growth...how many inches did it grow?
laceyvail 6A, WV
7 years ago
I rarely agree with Logan, but the ornamental pears are really dreadful trees. Invasive, guaranteed to self destruct in 8-10 years, and stinking in bloom.
Red (6a SW PA) Skip
Original Author
7 years ago
Logan: I didn't realize what you meant by cut it down... after a little research, looks to be these pear trees aren't really worth the trouble. appreciate your honesty and bluntness, you forced me to read a little and try to understand your POV.

Off to go tree shopping...
hairmetal4ever
7 years ago
Fertilizer can help, but it depends. Get a soil test.

My soil has a confirmed severe Phosphorus deficiency, so I have been addressing that, otherwise I don't normally give fertilizer to trees.
Logan L Johnson
7 years ago
Look at different cultivars of eastern redbud. They most likely won't be anything like your pear, but they are very enjoyable and worthwhile trees.