Is Holly Tone Causing White Residue Around Dogwood Trees

Question From: P. Georgiana - Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States
Q: I used Holly Tone around my Dogwood trees per the advice of a local nursery. Now there is a white residue around the trees. Is this from the Holly Tone or do I have another issue?

A: While I can't say for sure, Holly Tone is best mixed into the top inch or so of soil so the microbes break it down. If just sprinkled on the surface of the soil, if it rains it may start to decompose and the white residue could be bacteria at work. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy