Iron deficiency in a tree is treated by inserting iron spikes into the soil around its base, which release iron and adjust soil pH so the roots can take it up again.

What Does Iron Deficiency Look Like on a Tree?

Iron deficiency, also called iron chlorosis, shows up first on a tree's newest leaves, which turn pale green or yellow while the veins stay green, creating a skeleton-like pattern. In severe cases, new leaves emerge entirely yellow, undersized, or fail to develop properly. Pin oak, silver maple, sugar maple, sweet gum, and white pine are among the species most prone to it.

What Causes Iron Deficiency in a Tree?

Iron deficiency usually comes from soil with a pH above 7.0, since alkaline soil keeps iron from being absorbed even when enough is present in the ground. Excess lime, or lime leaching from nearby concrete, gravel, or brick, commonly raises soil pH this way, which is why the condition often shows up after construction or a new patio goes in.

How Are TreeHelp Iron Spikes Applied to Treat Iron Deficiency?

TreeHelp Iron Spikes treat the deficiency directly, releasing iron into the soil while adjusting its pH so roots can take the iron back up. One spike is used per 5 inches of trunk circumference, which works out to 5 to 10 spikes for a typical medium-sized tree, inserted into the ground around the tree's drip line. Visible improvement takes 30 to 90 days, with the full effect showing up the following growing season.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do TreeHelp Iron Spikes cost?

$17.95 for a case of 10 spikes.

Can other nutrient deficiencies occur alongside iron deficiency in a tree?

Yes. The same alkaline soil conditions that block iron uptake can also lead to concurrent deficiencies in copper, zinc, and manganese.

Besides oak and maple, which other tree species are prone to iron deficiency?

Baldcypress, crabapple, sweet gum, white pine, elm, London planetree, cottonwood, walnut, Eastern redcedar, Bradford pear, and willow are also prone to it, in addition to pin oak and silver maple.

How many iron spikes does a large, mature tree need?

More than a medium-sized tree, proportionally. The spikes are used at a rate of one per 5 inches of trunk circumference regardless of the tree's overall size, so a larger trunk simply needs more of them.