Question From: East Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
Q: I have a Transplanted Balsam Fir from the Adirondack Mountains of New York State that in the first year did nothing... I am in central NJ & I was told at that time ( 3 years ago ) that it was setting roots and acclamating... Well with very careful mega-snow deflectors, and careful mulch and weeding, this thing has new growth that has doubled the branch size with that " Caterpillar-color" light green... WHOA !! It has taken off !!! I have it mulched, and I dont flood it with water and it seems to be doing great !! QUESTION: Should I still side-dress with Holly-tone ? Or go with a half-strength Miracle-Gro_Acid to feed it??
A: Whoa - as you say it has taken off. Established trees really don't need to be fertilized, but if you insist, I recommend using the Holly Tone. I am not a fan of Miracle Gro products, as they are very high in salts and can burn tender roots and kill off soil dwelling members of a healthy food web. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
