Is this fertilizer burn?

[Ed Roland]

Just broadcast the fertilizer on the ground around the tree, then the lawn and the tree will benefit without any hideous green (or dead) spots.

I submitt to you, sir that the tree and those grass plants are not one and the same and, therefore, should not be treated as such.

pdqdl, Man, you know your fertility! With that said ...
I would like to challenge your application wisdom by pointing out that surface applied granulars have some issues associated.

"Although surface application can be effective and inexpensive, there are some use limitations. Where the fertilizer application area is covered with turf, the turf takes up a portion of surface fertilizer. Surface-applying fertilizer on organic mulch increases the breakdown rate of the mulch because of an increase in biological activity. On slopes, surface-applied fertilizers are more likely to run off. Phosphorus may not move into the root area of trees before it is tied up in the soil. In this case, a subsurface application of fertilizer is preferred. Potassium is intermediate in soil mobility; subsurface application is the preferred application technique, but surface application may be effective in many cases."

Thomas Smiley, Ph.D., is an arboricultural researcher at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories and adjunct professor at Clemson University

Conclusion: The right product soil injected as directed is superior to topical applications, in most cases.

opcorn: