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Compost or leaf litter are fertilizers that can be used for live oak trees (Quercus spp).

Specifically, live oak trees accept their natural ground cover as the best of fertilizers. They therefore can handle compost, which represents the breakdown of recyclable materials into their naturally constituent elements. They also respond to leaf litter and even to gentle organic fertilizers.

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12y ago
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12y ago

Respecting the natural ground cover is the way in which to fertilize an oak tree (Quercus spp).

Specifically, oak trees favor the natural forest ground cover of leaf litter. They handle compost since it delivers nutrients in a slow but direct and steady way. They prefer not to be fertilized by commercial fertilizers.

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12y ago

Compost or leaf litter are general fertilizers for oak trees (Quercus spp).

Specifically, oak trees generally do not need fertilizer treatments unless they are growing in badly denuded, eroded soils. Compost is an effective choice because it serves as a mulch for control of moisture, nutrient and weed levels. Leaf litter is another wise choice.

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9y ago

Very cautiously. If the Live Oak is native to the area, then natural environmental conditions such as soil, water and nutrients should provide all that the tree needs to remain healthy.

A Live Oak has a root zone that extends beyond the drip line, covering an area up to as much as 50% of the distance to the trunk beyond the drip line. The drip line would be represented by where the water would fall if a tree's branches formed an umbrella.

The root zone is important as you must be careful to not disturb within this area, as doing so can cause problems. Disease, insects, paving, fill dirt, stone walls, and plantings requiring watering can all produce problems within the root zone. Natural vegetative rot, and natural soil conditions, should supply the tree with all the nutrients it would require. It is best to leave this area natural; no raking, no watering (except cautiously, maybe once during a prolonged drought), and no disturbing the soil.

If you decide to fertilize, then 0.10 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per 100 square feet, at the perimeter of the root zone, applied in late fall or early spring is all that should be applied.

Keep in mind, the only trees that should ever receive fertilizer are those that are not native, and/or fruit and nut trees for harvesting.

For further information contact a certified arborist in your area.

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12y ago

Leaf litter are the best fertilizers for coast live oak trees (Quercus spp).

Specifically, live oak trees generally are not needy for fertilizer. What they like is the ground cover of their native habitat. Coast live oak trees live in coastal and sandy soils. That means experiences with leaf litter as a natural, organic fertilizers. Otherwise, live oak trees need no extra fertilizer attention if they grow in grass, lawn or turf that benefits from regular fertilizer treatments.

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14y ago

19-9-18

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Q: How do you fertilize a Live Oak tree?
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