Question From: B. Thomas - UTAH
Q: Hi Nancy. I have 4 Lombardy Poplars across the back of my yard. 3 are doing well and the 4th is struggling, with some bare branches and yellowing leaves. They are at least 13 years old and stand well over 50 feet high. I'd like to apply a good fertilizer but I don't know what to use, and more importantly, how to apply it. Poplars, by nature, are tall and thin, and I'm trying to figure out where to apply. Most fertilizer says to apply to the drip line, but I doubt the drip line of a poplar is really that narrow of a diameter (the roots must extend much farther than the leaf drip line). Help will be appreciated.
A: Now is not the time to fertilize. Water is more important. Best to fertilize in early spring. I recommend Espoma Tree Tone. The direction are on the bag. Go to Espoma.com and watch the video on how to fertilize. Poplars are fast growing short lived trees. If healthy they can live 30 to 50 years. However they are prone to canker and if left to spread they die young. Cutting off infected branches promptly is recommended. Best and HappyYardening, Nancy.
