The roots of trees, shrubs, turfgrass and bedding plants intermingle and compete for water and nutrients. In fact, the roots of a single mature tree may extend 60 feet or more out into your lawn or flowerbeds. Fertilizer applied to one plant is often absorbed by the roots of a nearby plant. Every treatment you apply to your lawn (fertilizer and herbicide, for example) can affect your trees and shrubs. Conversely, treatments applied to a tree, such as pruning and fertilizing, can influence the appearance and health of underlying turfgrass.

In areas where tree or shrub fertilization zones overlap with lawn fertilization zones, fertilize for one or the other of the plant types, but not both. If trees and shrubs are not located near fertilized turfgrass, you can apply additional nitrogen to enhance growth of established trees and shrubs. Refer to Table 2 for specific rate recommendations.