5 Epsom Salt Uses For Trees And Shrubs: Tree Service Dunlap, IL Pros' Share Their Tips
by Taylor's Way | Dec 10, 2018 | Blog
Epsom Salt represents an organic mineral – hydrated magnesium sulfate. It has been used for hundreds of years as a home remedy and as of late it is used as an organic fertilizer and soil amendment. Epsom Salt compensates for magnesium deficiencies in the soil and plants and it is often used to boost crops (peppers and tomatoes) or to boost blossoms in roses and other flowers. However, Epsom Salt has plenty of benefits for trees and shrubs as well. Today, our tree service Dunlap IL are here to talk to you about some interesting uses of Epsom Salt for hardy vegetation, trees, shrubs, and hedges.
1. Counter Tree and Shrubs Transplant Shock
Quick answer: Epsom salt is hydrated magnesium sulfate. For trees and shrubs it mainly corrects a magnesium shortage, which shows up as yellowing or curling leaves. It is not a complete fertilizer and will not fix problems caused by drought, pests or poor soil, so treat it as a supplement, not a replacement for regular feeding.
One of the major problems with removing trees and shrubs from one place and planting them in another area of your landscape is transplant shock. Sometimes trees and shrubs suffer tremendously and wilt. In order to prevent this, add Epsom Salt on the bottom of the holes where the tree or shrub is transplanted. Cover the layer of salt with dirt and place the plant in the hole. Epsom Salt will help the roots recover from the transplant damage and absorb better the nutrients already found in the soil, having thus better chances of survival.
2. Green up Foliage
If you see your trees’ and shrubs’ leaves turn yellow for no apparent reason (season, weather conditions, drought, pests, pollution etc), it may be because they lack magnesium – an essential element that promotes chlorophyll production. Sprinkle a table spoon of Epsom Salt around your trees and shrubs once a month to help them achieve healthier and more foliage that is greener and more resilient to environmental factors.
3. Prevent Leaf Curling
Sometimes the foliage of your trees, shrubs, and hedges gets curled in the lack of known and visible environmental factors. Another sign of magnesium deficiency, this problem can also be tackled with the help of Epsom Salt. Mix two table spoons in a gallon of water and spray your curled foliage with the solution until the leaves look perfect again. You can also spread Epsom Salt at the base of the trees / shrubs to boost the roots’ ability to better absorb the nutrients in the soil.
4. Sweeten Fruits
If you have some fruit trees, a boost in magnesium will do them a world of good. Epsom Salt is used on fruit trees or vegetables to help them yield larger, sweeter, and more fruits. It works great also for nut trees and fruit shrubs.
5. Have More Flowers
If you have flowering shrubs and trees around, you can “convince” them to yield more flowers that are bigger, with more vibrant colors and more powerful scents. The added magnesium in the Epsom Salt promotes the production of chlorophyll. In turn, this process will strengthen the plants’ cells and lead to more production – in this case blossoms and flowers.
Ask your tree service Dunlap IL specialists about the use of Epsom Salt in the benefit of your trees, shrubs, and hedges. You may need to perform a soil test before using this fertilizer, but you will surely enjoy the results.
