Pests vs Fert

[RGus]

If you were treating a tree for pest management (mites, leaf miners, or whatever) would you recommend fertilizing the tree too?

If the tree is stressed from insect damage, some fert could give it a needed boost.

Or would you think...

Fertilizing the tree would give it lush green foliage which would attract more pests, which would be counter productive to treating the original pest problem.

I am wondering what peoples thoughts are on this. Thanks for any input.

 

[Frax]

I would think the second thing in general RGus.
Fertilizing, especially high N can bring about a flush of tender growth that actually makes the tree more inviting to sap-sucking pests in particular.

To me, fertilizer cannot be a 'pick me up". It is designed to remedy element deficiencies in the soil. If the tree is stressed, and lack of nutrients has shown to be a contributing factor, then I would fertilize, or better yet by far, try to improve the soil organically through mulching and maybe vertical mulching or other techniques if the cost and time warranted it.

Hope this helps.

 

[Knowledgequest]

[ QUOTE ]
I would think the second thing in general RGus.
Fertilizing, especially high N can bring about a flush of tender growth that actually makes the tree more inviting to sap-sucking pests in particular.

[/ QUOTE ]

Frax has given the answer most every premier practitioner might give. Sound advice and probably most right in most situations. Does then it complicate things to point out that insects consuming a nutritionally poor food source will eat more of it? 7x as much to compensate. (Cloyd, Nixon, Pataky)

[ QUOTE ]
To me, fertilizer cannot be a 'pick me up". It is designed to remedy element deficiencies in the soil. If the tree is stressed, and lack of nutrients has shown to be a contributing factor, then I would fertilize,

[/ QUOTE ]

Has Dr. Coder turned the prescriptive model on it's head?
http://www.isapodcast.com/pod/ISA_SoA031_012012.mp3

Just some food for thought.