Can You Save a Tree That Has Been Exposed to Weed & Feed?

Age Is a Factor

• Young trees tend to be more susceptible to Weed & Feed poisoning than older trees, although even mature trees can succumb to the herbicide. Many herbicides can stay in the soil for more than a year, meaning the trees continue to get doses of the chemical every time they draw moisture in from the soil. Young trees might show immediate signs of damage, but older trees could take a bit longer to appear weakened by the herbicide.

Looking for Symptoms

• Trees typically show the first signs of trouble in their leaves, although the symptoms vary depending on which herbicide is present in your product. When they've been exposed to Weed & Feed, the leaves might start to curl, turn brown or fall off. Even if they stay green, they can look distorted or small. Some leaves might grow on thick stems or develop a leathery appearance.

Saving the Tree

• When you first start to notice symptoms of damage in your tree, act quickly to clean the soil and make it healthy for your tree again. A couple of methods can help you save your tree. Apply activated charcoal, up to 2 pounds for every 100 square feet of ground around your tree, turning it about 6 inches into the soil. This works best after you apply Weed & Feed but before you've watered it in deeply -- usually one or two waterings or rains. The charcoal absorbs and deactivates the herbicide so it won't cause further damage. Alternatively, start watering your tree more than normal to help the herbicide leach so deeply into the soil that it's below your tree's root system. Water the tree at least three times per week, making sure the soil is damp at least 4 inches below the surface, until the tree shows signs of recovery.

Don't Make the Same Mistake Twice

• A few tips can help you avoid harming your tree with future Weed & Feed applications. When spraying a liquid herbicide-containing product, choose a day with little or no wind to help you focus the spray away from your tree. Use granular products when possible, because they're less likely to drift under the tree's canopy and onto its root zone. Give your tree plenty of room when you spread the product, or use a drop spreader instead of a rotary spreader that slings granules in all directions. If you must use a rotary spreader, choose one that has a built-in guard. These guards are designed to stop the spreader from broadcasting in one direction. Meant for use around flowerbeds and driveways, they also help keep the herbicide away from your trees.