Now that spring has sprung and trees and shrubs are flowering you may be wondering, why isn’t my tree flowering? There are several answers to this question. Each has to do with an important part of spring tree care.

Why Trees Don’t Bloom

Most trees and shrubs produce flowers. While they may not always be noticeable, there may be another reason why you don’t see attractive blooms. If you know your plant is supposed to flower, yet it doesn’t happen one year, here are a few reasons why.

• Age. Depending on the type of plant, it could take years for it to flower. Determine how old your specific plant should be before it blooms.
• Injury. Harsh winter weather may have done damage to delicate flower buds, especially if they started to bud before a cold snap.
• Alternate Flowering. If your fruit tree was full of flowers one year then sparse the next, it happens. Proper pruning can help even out this tendency.
• Improper Pruning. If you prune too much or at the wrong time you could have cut the fresh flowering buds.
• Fertilizer. Too much nitrogen fertilization inhibits the production of flower buds. If the plant is already growing well, it shouldn’t need to be fertilized.
• Insufficient Sunlight. A plant may be shade tolerant, but it may not flower as much if it doesn’t get enough sun.

Proper Spring Tree Care

In order to get the most out of your trees and shrubs—from healthy growth to beautiful blooms—proper care and regular maintenance are needed. This starts with plant selection.

1. Choose plants that are meant to thrive in your conditions.
2. Plant them in the right area to get the amount of sun they need.
3. Feed and water them as suggested for their variety.

If you’ve done all of this, be patient. Your plants may just need more time to thrive.