Hornbeams are very robust plants that require few nutrients. Additional fertilizers are only necessary in the first few years after planting. Later, hornbeams usually no longer need to be fertilized.

Older hornbeams do not need fertilizer

Hornbeams develop long roots

In contrast to beeches, hornbeams are deep-rooted. They develop a heart root that provides the tree with nutrients and moisture from deep within the earth.

Fertilizing is therefore only necessary as long as the newly planted tree does not yet have long roots.

Provide nutrients when planting

If you plant a hornbeam, you should lay a good foundation of nutrients beforehand. Dig the planting hole and improve the soil with mature compost or horn shavings.(32.93€) Then you only need to give a little fertilizer in the following years.

Suitable fertilizers for hornbeams are:

  • compost
  • horn shavings
  • long-term fertilizer
  • bark mulch

When is the right time to fertilize?

You should only fertilize hornbeams in spring and again in May. Then the trees sprout again and need nutrients.

Don't fertilize later in the year. If the hornbeam then develops new shoots due to the nutrients, they can no longer mature.

In cold winters they freeze and die.

Fertilize hornbeams more frequently on sandy soil

If you have sandy soil in the garden, it can make sense to fertilize the hornbeam more frequently. Long-term fertilizers that are given in the spring are well suited.

The best fertilization for hornbeams: Leave the leaves

The leaves of the hornbeam hang on the tree for a long time. The last ones only fall off when the new shoots begin in spring.

Just leave the leaves under the tree. With this you fertilize the hornbeam in a completely natural way. The leaves decompose and release nutrients. They also loosen the soil, prevent soil moisture from evaporating and keep weeds away.

However, the foliage must be healthy. In the event of fungal or pest infestation, you must carefully sweep up all the leaves and dispose of them in the garbage. This will prevent the infestation from spreading further.

tips

Many gardeners believe that fertilizer is necessary after a radical pruning of the hornbeam. Instead of fertilizer, however, the hornbeam needs water. Therefore, water the tree extensively after cutting.

Category:

Trees