Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

How are trees fertilized with granular fertilizer?

1. Within the drip line

2. A thirty foot radius of the trunk

3. A four foot radius of the trunk

4. The drip line and at least ten feet beyond the drip line

The correct answer is: Within the drip line

Fertilizing trees with granular fertilizer within the drip line is considered the best practice, as this area corresponds to the tree's root zone where the feeder roots are most concentrated. The drip line is the outer edge of the tree's canopy where rainwater drips off the leaves, and it typically extends to where the tree's roots spread out. Applying fertilizer within this zone ensures that the nutrients are readily accessible to the roots, promoting better absorption and more effective growth. Moreover, while it is true that some practices may recommend spreading fertilizer beyond the drip line or a different radius around the trunk, these methods may not directly target the areas where the tree can most effectively utilize the nutrients. Therefore, focusing on the drip line helps increase the likelihood of fertilization being successful and beneficial for the tree’s health.