Introduction Maintaining adequate nutrition is essential in the production of high vigor, quality Christmas Trees. Tree nutrient status influences vigor, growth rate, foliage color, branch and foliage density, and perhaps needle retention. Nutrients are used to build tissues, cell components, and regulate biochemical processes. Severe nutrient deficiencies can limit photosynthesis, but soil moisture usually is the most common factor limiting plant growth. Conifers, especially Virginia pine, are extremely efficient at extracting nutrients even from poor soils.
Tree roots exploit large volumes of soil as their feeder roots grow.
Roots also quickly form beneficial associations with native mycorrhizae fungi that aid in nutrient and moisture uptake. The mycorrhizal association is especially beneficial on dry, nutrient poor sites. In general most tree crops will need little in the way of additional nutrients. Unlike annual row crops and many ornamentals that must complete their vegetative and reproductive cycles in a single growing season, where a lack of nutrients may seriously limit growth, tree crops have lower nutrient requirements. Often, fertilizer applications on productive sites may not prove beneficial as trees already have sufficient nutrients.