When and How Often To Fertilize Trees

This is a Jobe’s fertilizer spike with a cap on top. The spikes are available singly, by the box and in bagged in small quantities. Make sure you get several plastic caps with the spikes. The caps keep the spikes from fragmenting when hit with a hammer. Remember these spikes need moisture to break down. Something to consider in a drought year. ANDREW MESSINGER

Espoma makes an organic tree fertilizer (6-3-2) that can be applied as a band around a tree or into holes "punched" at the tree’s drip line. When using an organic like this, keep in mind that as the soil gets colder the release of nutrients from an organic slows. This makes organics good for early fall use but not in December. ANDREW MESSINGER

This is a Ross needle-type tree feeder. The fertilizer (proprietary) is added to the jar on top and a garden hose is attached to the left side. The needle is pushed into the ground, and as the trigger is pulled the diluted fertilizer is injected into the ground in the root zone. Feeder is about $45 and refills are available locally and online. ANDREW MESSINGER