North Pole Arborvitae - Ask Extension
My North Pole Arborvitae are brand new. I have 6 in a line. I am curious to know what type and brand of fertilizer I should be using and when and how ...
Knowledgebase
North Pole Arborvitae #927870
Asked April 08, 2026, 6:53 PM EDT
My North Pole Arborvitae are brand new. I have 6 in a line. I am curious to know what type and brand of fertilizer I should be using and when and how often I should apply it. Any other tips would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Lori
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
If the arborvitae were planted recently, no fertilizer is needed or recommended. The following publication explains why:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fertilizing-trees-and-shrubs-and-nutrient-deficiency-symptoms/
If the plants appear to be growing well a year or two after planting, no fertilizer will be needed then either. Especially note the section titled "Fertilizing evergreen trees and shrubs" in the above publication. If in doubt, submit soil samples to the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory and follow test result recommendations.
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/
Learn more here:
https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/fertilizing-evergreens
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fertilizing-trees-and-shrubs-and-nutrient-deficiency-symptoms/
If the plants appear to be growing well a year or two after planting, no fertilizer will be needed then either. Especially note the section titled "Fertilizing evergreen trees and shrubs" in the above publication. If in doubt, submit soil samples to the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory and follow test result recommendations.
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/
Learn more here:
https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/fertilizing-evergreens
