What is deep root fertilization, and what does it cost?
Jon Schach, our General Manager and an ISA Certified Arborist, answers the questions homeowners ask: what it is, why we do it in the fall, and what it costs. About three minutes.
Read the transcript
What is deep root fertilization? Deep root fertilization is an application technique used by arborists to inoculate the soils around trees with beneficial microbes and micronutrients to improve soil health, which translates to good tree health.
Is deep root fertilization beneficial for trees in the landscape? Yes, for three reasons. One, deep root fertilization is delivered in solution. In a tree like this, it could be hundreds of gallons of water injected into the soil in the tree's root zone. In the fall, it is very important that trees and tree roots are well hydrated going into winter. Tree roots function and grow long after the leaves have fallen, so it's very important that those roots have moisture.
Two, the process of injecting this liquid solution into the soil around the tree breaks up soil compaction. In an urban environment, just walking on the ground below the tree compacts the soil, making it hard for roots to work into the soil to get the moisture and nutrients they need. By breaking up the compaction, we create air space and pore space for those roots to grow.
Three, in the landscape, every fall we remove the leaves from the lawn, we pick up sticks, we don't allow brush and biomass to accumulate. All of that material that would otherwise be returned to the soil is taken away. Deep root fertilization provides a mechanism to bring that good stuff back in: carbon and micronutrients that tend to be lacking in urban soils, as well as soil bacteria and microbes that help root health and the absorption of water.
What does deep root fertilization cost for a landscape tree? Prices vary, but they tend to be between $90 and $350. Much depends on the size of the tree and the area of the root zone below it. We inject throughout the root zone so that all the roots under the tree are supported.
If you've got trees that could use some help, visit GoodsTreeCare.com or give us a call and we'll come out and give you a quote.
Jon Schach, General Manager and ISA Certified Arborist, Good's Tree and Lawn Care, Harrisburg, PA. Recorded October 2026.
What’s Included
- Soil and tree assessment to determine what’s missing.
- Liquid nutrient injection at the root zone, with beneficial soil microorganisms and organic matter.
- Right-rate, right-timing applications, typically spring and fall.
- Compaction relief. The injection process opens air spaces that help roots grow and breathe.
- Pairs with Plant Health Care monitoring, especially valuable for high-value, mature, or recently stressed trees.
Why Fall Is the Window
A hot summer takes more out of trees than it looks like, and the stress starts underground. Fall applications feed the root zone while roots are still active, help stressed trees head into dormancy stronger, and set up a healthier spring flush.
Better soil = better plants. It’s the same principle that guides everything we do: the right product, at the right rate, at the right time of year.
Deep Root Fertilization Questions
What is deep root fertilization and do I need it?
When should trees be deep root fertilized?
Who does deep root fertilization near Harrisburg, PA?
What does deep root fertilization cost?
For a landscape tree, deep root fertilization usually runs between $90 and $350. The price depends on the size of the tree and the area of its root zone, because we inject throughout the root zone so every root under the tree is reached. We give you an exact number after looking at the tree.