Save Japanese Maple from garden fertilizer

4 years ago

The Japenese maple in our front garden was planted this spring, but has had a rough year with how hot/dry it has been here in Colorado, as well as taking an attack from Japanese beetles. Looking to help my tree, I (foolishly) gave it some of the liquid garden fertilizer we had on hand, thinking the extra Nitrogen would help it bounce back like it does my herbs/veggies. After doing some research, I've realized how big of a mistake I've made.

My question now is... is there anything I can do to save my tree from the excess Nitrogen I just gave it? I gave it a bit more water, hoping to dilute the fertilizer even more and wash some away from the roots, but I don't want to overwater it along with overfertilizing it either.

Is there anything else I can do to help wash away the fertilizer?

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Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
You may be overreacting :-) Although this late in the season is NOT the time to fertilize, in general the N is not going to bother the tree at all. However, it may produce some late growth that could be more vulnerable to winter damage due to insufficient time to harden off before the cold hits (why you do not fertilize after late July - early August).

But in general, trees planted in the ground seldom ever need to be fertilized if provided suitable growing conditions. And fertilizer of any kind should not be considered a "tonic" to help plants bounce back from stress. That's not what it does :-)
kellersincolorado thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
kellersincolorado
Original Author
4 years ago
I've definitely learned my lesson to do the research FIRST and then act second. Hopefully I can give it the love it needs, but not too much, and get it healthy again for next spring's growing season. I appreciate the advice!!
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years ago
what she said.. but it would be helpful to know the product ... and how you used it ... properly diluted.. etc....

btw ... if you fert your lawn... your tree will NEVER need any further fert ...

regardless ... i SUSPECT.. unless you dumped a bag of nitro right next to the tree trunk... there isnt any real problem ... so lets not try to fix something that probably isnt broken ....

and if this is one of those snake oil things.... its probably not very strong.. properly diluted ...

just dont try to love it to death ... trees simply usually need nothing.. ever ... [beyond proper watering the year or two after planting]... they are not children.. they dont need to be fed.. pampered.. educated.. etc ...

ken

ps: and if you maple loses its leaves in a month or so.. dont freak out.. lol.. thats what they do in fall ...
kellersincolorado thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
kellersincolorado
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks for the response Ken! It was FoxFarms Grow Big that I use for vegetables/herbs, but I always dilute it even from the recommended normal feeding dosage. For the Japanese Maple, there was about a teaspoon, maybe teaspoon and a half, in two gallons of water (so really not much). Your response makes me feel better than I'm probably not going to burn the roots and kill it, but I am going to be much more careful going forward. I think the hot summer sun really just scorched it, and should probably focus on how to prevent that from happening again next summer.. I dont suspect we're going to see cooler temps in the near future, probably the opposite. A few leaves have started to fall off already, but I think that was probably from the sun as well...
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Not enough nitrogen in that solution at that dilution to be any sort of problem and far from any risk of "burning" the roots!!

FWIW, I use a liquid 9-3-6 fertilizer frequently on my containerized Japanese maples with only very beneficial effects. Not the same as a tree growing in the ground but could potentially be more of an issue due to the confined nature of container growing........but it is not. You are worrying needlessly!
kellersincolorado thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Save Japanese Maple from garden fertilizer

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Save Japanese Maple from garden fertilizer

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