Best Fertilizer for Oak Trees: To Ensure Healthy Growth


Introduction

Every gardener’s woe is that their beloved plants hit a growth stump after a while. However, this problem can be easily tackled with a good fertilizer. 

But picking the best fertilizer for oak trees is not as easy as it sounds.

If that sounds like your problem, you’re probably breaking a sweat in finding the perfect fertilizer. That’s where we step in to make the task much simpler for you.

We’ve picked the top 5 fertilizer for all of your plant growth problems. And, we’ve also come up with a buying guide so that you can pick the one which best suits your concerns. 

So if you have a few minutes to spare, take out your notepad and jot down the merits of each. That way, you can find your match pretty easily. Sounds right? Then let’s jump right in!

Photo of Oak Trees
Photo by Marian Bayley

Comparison Table

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
RECOMMENDATION
Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus 

Feed Time: 6 months

Weight: 8.1 pounds
Check Price
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Miracle-Gro Tree & Shrub Plant Food SpikesFeed Time: 4 months

Weight: 3.72 pounds

Check Price
PREMIUM CHOICE
Jobe’s 01660 1610 0 Tree Fertilizer Spikes
Feed Time: 12 months

Weight: 0.88 pounds

Check Price
TOP PICK
Ross 14636 Root Feeder Refills 36pkFeed Time: 12 months

Weight: 1.45 pounds

Check Price
BUDGET PICK
J R Peters Inc (52064) Jacks Classic No.4 20-20-20 Fertilizer
Feed Time: 4 months

Weight: 1 pound

Check Price

1. Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus 

Product Overview

Are you looking for a simple product that just delivers good results? In case you’re new to gardening, then all those complicated products may overwhelm you. 

That’s why we’ve chosen the Osmocote Plus Plant Food at the top of our list. First of all, the premium formula of this fertilizer does wonders for your plant. That’s no surprise since it’s a blend of 11 essential nutrients for healthy growth.

Another great factor about this fertilizer is it’s multi-purpose. If you’ve recently taken up gardening as a hobby, it’s pretty difficult to get your hands on different fertilizers for each plant that you own. 

With the Osmocote Plus, it’s one show that fits all formulas. You can use it on all plants, starting from potted to outdoor plants. 

Moreover, this product comes with a no-burn pledge. Then again, this comes with a condition. Since plant burn can also be caused by improper use of formula, you’ll get good results only if you use it well. 

Lastly, you can use this formula easily for 6 months. It comes with a granule coating, which is semi-permeable. This allows for the slow release of this nutrient.

2. Miracle-Gro Tree & Shrub Plant Food Spikes

Product Overview

How could we not include Miracle-Gro on the list? After all, it’s every gardener’s staple. 

One of the best parts about this fertilizer is that it contains all-natural ingredients. So you don’t have to worry about damaging your plants in the long run. 

That’s why you need to feed the plant once every 4 months, compared to some other year-long fertilizers. However, it’s worth the effort in our opinion, since you know that your plant is only getting the good stuff. 

Other than your oak tree, you could also use this fertilizer on other evergreen plants or even plants that are more acidic! 

On the other hand, this pack contains 12 spikes. All of these promote the healthy growth of plants, and you’ll see your trees and shrubs blooming in no-time.

Now, if you’re new to gardening, you may not have a clear idea of what fertilizer spikes are. Basically, they’re small sticks that you can insert in the soil around the base of your oak tree. 

Once they’re put in the soil, they slowly release essential nutrients that are crucial to the healthy growth of your plant. Thus, they’re more effective than your ordinary fertilizer, and the plant gets food supply all year long. 

3. Jobe’s 01660 1610 0 Tree Fertilizer Spikes

Product Overview

In case you’re looking for a fertilizer that’s easy to use and will last you all year long, look no further than Jobe’s Tree Fertilizer. This bad boy comes with 15 spikes, so you don’t have to worry about not having enough fertilizer.

With Jobe’s fertilizer, these spikes come pre-measured and with a time-release feature. So, all the math is basically done for you. This will eventually make application easier as well. 

Speaking of applications, these spikes are super-efficient and pretty easy to use. There’s essentially zero waste. So, you’re not damaging the environment as well. 

And, to take things to the next level, you don’t have to worry about any mess or nasty odors. This is because the fertilizer doesn’t drip off. So, your fertilizers are in safe hands. 

All you have to do is water the oak tree really well and then insert these spikes near the plant’s dripline. 

Another perk of the spike system over traditional fertilizer is that there’s no unnecessary spilling. The fertilizer goes directly to the plant roots, and your plant will have a super easy time absorbing what it needs. 

Thus, the 16-4-4 fertilizer will make your Oaktree grow like weeds. If you’re not familiar with the numbers, it denotes your NPK or Nitrogen-Phosphorus and potassium ratio. 

4. Ross 14636 Root Feeder Refills 36pk

Product Overview

Now, now. If you’re someone who uses a root feeder to fertilize your plants, look no further than the root feeder refills by Ross. This fertilizer will ensure that your trees and shrubs grow beautifully.

If you aren’t familiar with root feeders, but you’d like to know more, we’ve got you covered too!

Root feeders are basically big hollow steel needles that help plant foods and fertilizers to get directly absorbed by the plant roots. Although it sounds fancy, root feeders are actually pretty easy to use once you get a hang of using them.

However, you will need to refill them every once in a while and that’s where this fertilizer steps in. 

First of all this, it comes with 36 refill units, so you don’t have to worry about them running out anytime soon. Moreover, this formula is pretty easy to use, so you don’t have to worry about breaking your neck. 

Another benefit of this fertilizer is that it requires no mixing and measuring. All you have to do is install these refills in your root feeder, and your work is done. The plants are happy, and you can water the plants at the same time!

Moreover, each refill is premeasured beforehand. So you can fertilize your plants without any hassle or mess. 

5. J R Peters Inc (52064) Jacks Classic No.4 20-20-20 Fertilizer

Product Overview

Last but not the least, we have Jack’s Classic all-purpose fertilizer from J R Peters. This has been a gardener’s favorite for quite a while. 

After all, it helps your plant grow and is pretty cost-effective. 

The best part about this fertilizer is that it comes with the highest safety factor. With many fertilizers, burning is a common concern.

In case you don’t know what that means, fertilizer burn is an undeniable phenomenon that occurs when a plant leaves crisp up or burns due to using harsh fertilizers. 

But with the Jacks Classic, you can say goodbye to this concern. Moreover, it comes with a free measuring spoon. So, you can easily use as little or as much as you need. 

Another really cool perk of this fertilizer is that it comes with an enhanced micronutrient package formula. This makes sure that your plant is getting all the good stuff it needs.

However, there’s one thing to keep in mind when you’re choosing this product. Since it comes with a pretty high phosphorus content, it could conflict with your state laws.

That’s because phosphorus runoff could poison groundwater, and make it unfit for use. So get a good idea about the topic or contact your local authorities.

Buying Guide for Best Fertilizer for Oak Trees

And with that, we come to the end of our review section. We’ve delved into the ins and outs of everything you need to know about each individual plant fertilizer.

However, that may have been a lot of information to process at once. If you’re still feeling a little lost as to which is the best fertilizer for you, then let us guide you through a few important factors. 

That way, it’s going to be much easier for you to come to an easy conclusion.

Mess Factor

Now every gardener must get their hands dirty at one point or the other. But, that doesn’t mean that your fertilizer should be hard to use.

If you’re someone who likes to stay clean, then there are many easy to use mess-free options on the market. We suggest that you pick root feeders or a spike system.

However, if this isn’t a concern for you, then you could opt for the other traditional methods.

Odor Factor

No matter how great a fertilizer is, it becomes a real pain when your garden smells like an open drain. 

If you have nosy neighbors, or if you or your family members have an issue with odors, then we suggest you go for the mess-free options. These are easier to use, and there’s no way to tell that you’ve recently fertilized your garden.

Now even if natural gardening mixes are better for your environment, they may cause your garden to stink up.

Budget Factor

In case you just started gardening, you may not have an extensive budget behind just fertilizers. That’s totally fine since a new hobby can be quite expensive.

Moreover, it’s always wiser to start slow when you undertake a new project. Thus, pick accordingly when you just start. Although you may hear a ton of great reviews about pricier products that seem lucrative, slow and steady wins the race. But once you’re a gardening veteran, you can start thinking about pricier options. 

FAQS

Question: How often should you fertilize oak trees?

Answer: The best time to start fertilizing oak trees is at the start of spring. This boost will provide your oak tree with all the essential nutrients and give it the boost that it needs. Also, since oak plants grow faster during the warmer months, make the best use of this time.

Question: Are coffee grounds good for oak trees?

Answer:  Since coffee grounds are a natural source of nitrogen, they are a cheap and effective fertilizer for oak trees. Moreover, they contain no harsh chemicals and can be considered as green compost. Therefore, it’s a smart way to provide your plants with all the essential components that it needs.

Question: What are the signs of a dying oak tree?

Answer: There are 7 signs that can warn you that your oak tree is not faring well, and needs some special care. Other than browning and brittle leaves, look out for an increase in deadwood, or a growth of insects and fungus. Moreover, a sudden lean in your tree indicates that the roots may have weakened.

EndNote

That’s all from us folks! We’ve covered pretty much all the basic stuff that you need to decide which is the Best Fertilizer for Oak Trees. From here on, the decision is yours to make.

However, nothing makes a plant grow faster than some good old love and care. So make sure that you provide your oak tree with all the attention it craves, especially during the harsh winter months.

If you have any more concerns about your oak tree, feel free to leave a comment down below and we’d be happy to answer it.

Until then, stay happy and safe!

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Celina Nance

It’s been a life-long wish of Celina Nance to have a lawn full of colorful flower beds. But living in Arizona city, that seems kind of impossible. But Celina Nance didn’t stop and created a full-form balcony garden instead. And she often shares stuff that she does/solves/innovates throughout the journey.

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