Magnolia and fir – Feeding requirements

Q: We have several large magnolias and fir trees in our back yard. What are the feeding requirements for them?

A: If the trees are large and established, they need little feeding, particularly if they are growing near a fertilized lawn. If you see that the leaves on a tree are slightly more yellow than similar trees nearby, fertilizing may help correct it. I’d prefer you base your feeding on a soil test (www.georgiasoiltest.com) but if you feel that you need to do something right away, scatter 2 cups of 10-10-10 per 100 sq. ft. of area covered by the tree branches. The best time to feed trees is in fall, after the leaves have dropped, and in early spring.