The Effect of Calcium on Your Trees: What You Need to Know
Date May 18, 2022
Category
If you are looking for a way to improve the health of your trees, adding calcium to the soil may be the solution. Calcium is an essential nutrient for plants, and it plays a role in many important processes. But how exactly does calcium benefit trees? What are the best ways to add it? What happens if you add too much calcium? In this blog post, we will answer all these questions and more!
Why Is Calcium So Important for Trees?
Calcium is an essential nutrient for plants, and it plays a role in many important processes. It helps with cell wall production and strengthens the plant, which can help it become resistant to disease and pests.
It also helps the tree absorb other nutrients from the soil, including nitrogen and water. Calcium is especially important for young trees as it helps them develop a strong root system. Not only that but adding calcium to the soil can additionally help improve drainage and aeration.
How to Tell If My Tree Needs More Calcium?
If your tree is not growing as quickly as it should be or if the leaves are yellowing, it may need more calcium. You can have a soil test done to see how much calcium is in the soil.
If the level is low, you should add calcium to the soil. You can apply it directly to the soil, or you can use a foliar spray. Foliar sprays are more effective, but they need to be applied more often. You can also add calcium to the soil through compost and manure.
Which Types of Trees Respond Best to Calcium Treatments?
Almost all trees benefit from calcium, but some respond better than others. Fruit trees, such as apples and oranges, respond especially well to calcium treatments. Adding calcium can also help improve the flavor of fruits and vegetables.
Nut trees, such as almonds and walnuts, are also good candidates for calcium treatments. However, be sure to avoid adding calcium to evergreens, as it can cause needle drops.
How Do I Add Calcium to My Tree?
There are several ways to add calcium to the soil. You can apply it directly to the soil, or you can use a foliar spray. Foliar sprays are more effective, but they need to be applied more often. You can also add calcium to the soil through compost and manure.
Adding limestone to your soil is another way to add calcium. Limestone is a long-term solution, but it can take a while for the calcium to become available to trees.
What Happens If There Is Too Much Calcium in the Soil?
Adding too much calcium to the soil can cause problems for trees. It can make the soil too alkaline, which can stunt growth.
It can also bind up other nutrients in the soil, making them unavailable to the plant. If you think you have added too much calcium, have a professional tree care service double-check and then possibly add sulfur to the soil to help balance the pH.
Calcium is an important nutrient for trees, but too much can cause problems. Be sure to test the soil before adding calcium and add it in moderation to ensure that your trees are getting the nutrients they need!
How Often Should I Check for Signs of Calcium Deficiency?
You should have your soil tested for calcium levels every few years. If the level is low, do not wait or hesitate to add calcium to your affected soil.
So, now you know that calcium is an essential nutrient for trees, and it plays a role in many important processes. You also know the best ways to add it and what happens if you add too much. If you have any questions about how to apply these principles in your own garden or would like help testing and treating any calcium needs in your trees, contact TreeNewal today. We look forward to helping our fellow gardeners!
If you need advice or assistance with checking and balancing the calcium levels of your trees, get in touch with the ISA-certified arborists at TreeNewal and enjoy tailored tree care advice.
To learn more about The Effect of Calcium on Your Trees: What You Need to Know, call our Argyle and Southlake-based teams
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