Spikes are a scam. Grind them up and spread like granular fertilizer.

tj

How are they a scam? I've got Jobe's Organics Tree, Shrub, and Evergreen tree spikes and people seemed to be happy with them... but I've never fertilized a tree before. I thought a key was to get the fertilizer deeper into the ground, rather than spread on top?

And I guess my question is the same -- how/where do I fertilize when the dripline is under hardscape?

They are a scam because spikes concentrates the nutrients in one place. The fine feeder roots that the tree develops and uses to access the nutrients are spread out very widely.....and far beyond the dripline of well established trees. And they are located just under the soil surface, not deeply. So a spike or two......or three.....in a couple of concentrated areas is doing almost nothing. The spikes themselves may be fine afa the nutrients are concerned - it is just the delivery system that is very ill-conceived.

Grind up the spikes and spread them wherever you can at the very edge and somewhat beyond the dripline. But wait until the tree starts to flush out again in early spring. Have you determined that there is a need for fertilizing? Often established trees require very little, if any.

Providing photos of the areas surrounding the trees may generate more specific application advice.

the alternative argument is that they are trees.. not children ... and they dont need to be educated.. nor fed ... they are not children ...

if the condo ferts the lawn ... they get more of what they need.. and need no more from you ...

and that would be confirmed by the tree itself ... is the tree showing any signs of any type of soil problems... requiring that you fix what is probably not broken ... it usually doesnt work out well ... when you try when nothing is broken ...

and that is where the scam is in my book... tricking you into spending money... for something that the tree really doesnt need ...

ken

ps: if the tree is having some issue.. it is rarely lack of food.. it would usually be a soil problem.. not allowing the tree to use available nutrients ... and you would fix that with a soil amendment.. not food ... trees.. thru their leaves convert sunshine into energy.. and store it in the roots ... and they rarely need additional 'food' .....

Mare, others issues with the spikes, other than what gardengal mentioned, is that the spikes can cause damage to these roots nearest the spikes. Also, the essential feeder roots responsible for water and nutrient uptake (among other necessary functions) are very shallow.

Broadcasting over the top is the preferred method of fertilization for most plants, including trees.