nitrogen free fertiliser - use now?

top_cat

I am in the UK and the weather is just starting to turn cold(er) so I was wondering if I should consider using a nitrogen free fertiliser on my maples now?

My maples are keeping their leaves very well at the moment but I want to ensure that the roots and strong for the winter, so should I use a nitrogen free fertiliser now?

Thanks

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rockm

It isn't really necessary, despite what you read in books. Trees aren't in active growth now and don't really require Nitrogen, so they're not "looking" for it. Any N in a balanced NPK fertilizer will simply be ignored. It will not set off a rash of new growth, if that's what you're worried about. What will set off new growth is pruning anything at this time of year. If you're contemplating cutting anything now, forget it. Wait for spring.

Will_Heath

I agree with Rockm, I never cut back on Nitogen.


Will

top_cat

Thanks for your reply. I didn't realise that the tree would ignore the Nitrogen, I just thought that it would kick-start the tree back into producing leaves again. I'm not planning on doing any pruning I just wanted to help the tree harden off this years growth so I don't get lots of die back this winter.

top_cat

So do you guys stop feeding your tree over winter? or do you just keep going?

rockm

Well, yeah. "Feeding" a dormant tree is futile. The tree isn't using anything to grow, so it requires nothing. It has stored nutrients in its roots and shoots that will be the kindling for new growth in the spring. "Non-dormant" trees--evergreens, also require very little during the winter, as they aren't actively growing.