Best Treatment Care for Red Maple in Colorado - Ask Extension
Is Chelated Iron or Iron Sulfate better for helping my Maple tree to thrive in the soil of Fort Collins Colorado? How often should I give my tree Iron...
Knowledgebase
Best Treatment Care for Red Maple in Colorado #872947
Asked June 13, 2024, 12:13 PM EDT
Is Chelated Iron or Iron Sulfate better for helping my Maple tree to thrive in the soil of Fort Collins Colorado? How often should I give my tree Iron? What is the best method for treatment so the roots of my tree get the iron nutrients instead of just my grass? Is there anything beside Iron that my Maple needs in order to thrive and keep vibrant green leaves in the spring and summer and colorful leaves in the fall?
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
This publication from Utah State explains how to use iron product in good detail: https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_orn/list-treeshrubs/iron-chlorosis
Essentially you would only need to treat once a year or every other year, depending on how you do the application. Soil applications would be done yearly; trunk injections would be done every other year.
Because our soils are higher in pH, you'll want to use an iron chelate that is EDDHA (something like Sequestrene 138 and Millers Ferriplus) and it will need to be applied to the tree's roots directly. You can mix these products with water and pour it at the base (pull back any mulch or grass). Mixing rate will be based on the size of the tree's trunk. The ideal time would be to apply these products in spring just prior to budbreak.
There are also foliar sprays (that last one season). Complete coverage of application is important - only the leaves sprayed will revert back to green. It's not recommended that you do this during hot weather because it can cause phytoxicity.
Please let me know if you have other questions.
This publication from Utah State explains how to use iron product in good detail: https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_orn/list-treeshrubs/iron-chlorosis
Essentially you would only need to treat once a year or every other year, depending on how you do the application. Soil applications would be done yearly; trunk injections would be done every other year.
Because our soils are higher in pH, you'll want to use an iron chelate that is EDDHA (something like Sequestrene 138 and Millers Ferriplus) and it will need to be applied to the tree's roots directly. You can mix these products with water and pour it at the base (pull back any mulch or grass). Mixing rate will be based on the size of the tree's trunk. The ideal time would be to apply these products in spring just prior to budbreak.
There are also foliar sprays (that last one season). Complete coverage of application is important - only the leaves sprayed will revert back to green. It's not recommended that you do this during hot weather because it can cause phytoxicity.
Please let me know if you have other questions.
Thank you so much for your reply.
I just want to clarify. You recommended applying the Chelated Iron to the tree roots directly then gave instructions to pour the iron mixture at the base of the tree. Is it okay to mix a 5 gallon bucket of water with the correct amount of iron, remove any mulch or grass and pour the iron at the base of the tree trunk? Previous to reaching out I found Chelated Iron that is derived from Iron Sulfate so it has Iron and Sulfur. Is this a good product or should I get something different?
Previously we were told to apply the iron using a root feeder to get down to the roots of the tree and apply the iron in a circle 4-6 feet away from the tree trunk. Unfortunately when we tried to find the root feeder tablets this year we have not been able to find a source to buy them and nothing else we can find will work in a root feeder. Our tree is just around 5 years old and we have been using the Iron Plus refills 5-35-10 from the time we planted it but we can no longer find those. Would we get the results we need to keep our tree healthy if we use the 25-10-10 Root Feeder Fertilizer.
I just want to keep my tree looking lush and green instead of yellow like almost all the older Maple trees in my neighborhood.
I appreciate your expertise.
Janell
Hi Janelle,
I should have asked - is the tree actually showing signs of chlorosis? Yellow leaves with green veins? If not, then treatment isn't necessary at this time.
To answer your questions: Yes, you can mix the product in the bucket and then remove grass/mulch and pour it at the base. Using a deep root feeder isn't super effective, since most roots are in the top 12" of the soil, especially feeder roots, since they are the ones that are likely to absorb the iron applied. Using a root feeder may or may not actually apply product to the roots.
As for iron products, it comes down to how the iron is created - you'll need to find a chelated product that is labeled at EDDMA or EDHA. The products that are EDTA are going to much less effective. If you look at the label, it should list the type of iron and the chelate used.
I should have asked - is the tree actually showing signs of chlorosis? Yellow leaves with green veins? If not, then treatment isn't necessary at this time.
To answer your questions: Yes, you can mix the product in the bucket and then remove grass/mulch and pour it at the base. Using a deep root feeder isn't super effective, since most roots are in the top 12" of the soil, especially feeder roots, since they are the ones that are likely to absorb the iron applied. Using a root feeder may or may not actually apply product to the roots.
As for iron products, it comes down to how the iron is created - you'll need to find a chelated product that is labeled at EDDMA or EDHA. The products that are EDTA are going to much less effective. If you look at the label, it should list the type of iron and the chelate used.
