How to Fertilize Mature Fruit Trees

Fertilize mature fruit trees in their fruit-bearing years to provide necessary nutrients that will keep well-established trees healthy and productive.

Well-established mature fruit trees that are in good health tend to thrive regardless of the season. Regular care and maintenance isn't time consuming, but it truly makes a difference in the life and longevity of a fruit tree. Even though they're already established, mature fruit trees may require additional nutrients than what the native soil can provide to remain healthy – especially if the trees are still in their fruit-bearing years.

This is why it's important to know about how and when to fertilize mature fruit trees.

The act of fertilizing older fruit trees isn't much different from fertilizing new fruit trees, but the fertilizer used – and the intent – slightly differs. Fertilizing in the later years of a fruit tree's life helps to encourage vigor and to support regular, heavy bearing.

When fertilizing established fruit trees, you should have:

• Older fruit trees – trees that have been in the ground for 3 or more years.
• A fertilizer of your choice, like Stark® Orchard Fertilizer, or a soil amendment like compost, well-aged manure, etc. (Fertilizer intended for use on mature fruit trees would be best.)