Tree roots in the urban environment have a nasty habit of growing along the surface of the ground where they are susceptible to damage from cold, drought, careless lawnmower operators and other dangers.
In 1978, Davey scientists were looking for a way to grow those roots below the ground surface where they would be safe from both man-made and Mother Nature’s worst. They developed Arbor Green, a high quality, complete fertilizer containing a specific ureaform nitrogen, and a unique food grade phosphate and potassium source with a 30-10-7 ratio that mimics the ratio found in forests. Urban soils don’t often share the same nutrient-rich profile and need a little help. Roger Funk, Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, explained the history and development of the fertilizer to reporters invited to the company’s Kent, OH-based campus.
Scientists at the Davey Institute created the fertilizer along with a delivery method, which involves injecting the fertilizer suspension – particles suspended in water — between 4-in. and 12-in. below the ground. When it was developed, Davey Tree chose a proprietary approach limiting availability and the number of users. But that is about to change.
Nearly 30 years later, Davey has updated the fertilizer with the release of a newly formulated version, Arbor Green PRO, which will be distributed through LESCO/John Deere Landscape Gold Stores, the former LESCO sites Deere acquired earlier this year. The product is available to professionals who take care of trees.
The new formulation keeps the 30-10-7 ratio, but a newly added essential amino acid maximizes nutrient availability so the fertilizer can deliver the same impact with 25% less product. In other words, a 30-lb. bag of Arbor Green PRO does the same job as a 40-lb. bag of the original Arbor Green.
“Trees are major assets that only appreciate with time and proper care, which is why it’s so important to make sure they’re receiving the best quality nutrients available,” Funk says. “Davey’s Arbor Green PRO can be applied at lower concentrations than traditional fertilizers, which is not only environmentally sound but saves money and time as well.”
Nearly as important as the chemical composition of the fertilizer is the way it is delivered to the tree. The fertilizer is suspended in water and injected in a continuous motion from 4 in. below the surface to a depth of 12 inches and back to 4 inches. That process is repeated every three feet under the tree’s canopy. Lateral ports in the injection probe distribute the fertilizer particles throughout the root zone for maximum root contact and availability. The injection technique also creates capillaries in the soil, which improves air and water movement to promote deeper rooting.
For additional information, visit www.arborgreenpro.com.
