Fertilizing Season for Fruit Trees

Planting Time

• Whether or not to apply fertilizer to a newly planted tree depends on the nutrients in the soil and your nursery guarantee. Have a soil test done before deciding on whether or not to apply a starter fertilizer. If your soil test comes back as being sufficient in nutrients, do not apply a fertilizer at planting time. Some nursery guarantees will not honor a tree if it has been planted with a starter fertilizer. The University of New Hampshire recommends using a starter fertilizer mixed with water or a pinch of bone meal.

Apple Trees

• All fruit trees should be fertilized according to previous year’s growth. A nonbearing apple tree should grow 24 to 36 inches per year, and a bearing tree should grow 12 to 24 inches per year. If the growth rate of your apple tree is less than the optimum, a fertilizer application is appropriate. Use 1/10 pound of nitrogen per 1 inch diameter of the tree trunk. Measure the diameter one foot from the bottom of the tree. Apply fertilizer in the early spring before bud break around the drip line of the tree.

Pear Trees

• A nonbearing pear tree should grow 12 to 26 inches per year, and a bearing tree will grow 6 to 12 inches per year. If your pear tree is growing slower, apply 1/10 pound of nitrogen per 1 inch of your tree's trunk diameter. Overfertilizing pear trees will cause excessive shoot growth that promotes fire blight. Fire blight is a bacterial disease that causes the new growth to look burned and turns the branches and leaves black. Only apply fertilizer in the spring if the previous year's growth supports the need.

Stone Fruits

• Stone fruits include peaches, cherries and apricots. Stone fruits should grow 16 to 24 inches per year in the nonbearing stages and 10 to 18 inches per year while bearing. If fertilizer is needed, apply 1/8 pound of nitrogen for every inch of diameter of the tree trunk. Apply fertilizer in the early spring around the drip line of the tree.