Tree and Shrub Care Log
A printable multi-year tracker for your trees and shrubs covering inventory (plant ID, species, location, planting year, current DBH, canopy width, target health), annual fertilization (date / tree ID / product / amount lb+kg / application zone / soil pH / cost USD+CAD), pruning, pest and disease, mulch and amendments, and multi-year DBH growth tracking. Quick reference card at the bottom covers target pH by species type, N rate per species, dripline ring math, when NOT to fertilize, and US Cooperative Extension + Canadian provincial labs.
Pair with the Tree and Shrub Fertilization Calculator for the math, the how to fertilize trees and shrubs guide for the practice, the Soil pH Testing Guide for the testing side, and the Soil Test and Amendment Tracker printable for soil-side tracking.
Tree and Shrub Care Log
Multi-year log for trees and shrubs. Inventory at top; year-by-year fertilization, pruning, pest/disease, mulch, and DBH growth below. Re-test soil pH at the dripline ring every 2 to 3 years. Most established trees in good soil need no supplemental fertilizer.
Tree and shrub inventory
| Plant ID | Species | Location in yard | Planting year | Current DBH (in / cm) | Canopy width (ft / m) | Target health | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | |||||||
| T2 | |||||||
| T3 | |||||||
| T4 | |||||||
| T5 | |||||||
| S1 | |||||||
| S2 | |||||||
| S3 | |||||||
| S4 | |||||||
| S5 |
Use T prefix for trees, S for shrubs. Match the Plant ID across the other tables to track each plant individually.
Annual fertilization log
| Date | Tree ID | Product (brand + N-P-K) | Amount (lb / kg) | Application zone | Soil pH at time | Cost (USD / CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dripline ring | |||||||
| Dripline ring | |||||||
| Dripline ring | |||||||
| Dripline ring | |||||||
| Dripline ring | |||||||
| Dripline ring | |||||||
| Dripline ring | |||||||
| Dripline ring |
Application zone defaults to dripline ring (radius 1.5 × DBH in feet, 2 to 3 ft wide). Common products: Espoma Tree-Tone (deciduous, conifer, fruit, shrub), Espoma Holly-Tone (acid-loving), generic 10-10-10 + 16-4-8 slow-release. Never apply against the trunk.
Pruning log
| Date | Tree ID | Pruning type | Performed by | Cost (USD / CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pruning types: structural (early years, shape formation), dead-wood removal, shaping (cosmetic), fruit thinning, hazard reduction. Major pruning should be done in the dormant season for most species; consult a certified arborist for trees over 20 ft.
Pest and disease log
| Date | Tree ID | Issue | Treatment | Cost (USD / CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common issues: aphids, scale, borers, leaf spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, root rot, fire blight (fruit trees), iron chlorosis (acid-loving on alkaline soil). Many are diagnosable from photos by a cooperative-extension Master Gardener at no cost.
Mulch and amendment log
| Date | Tree ID | Mulch type | Depth (in / cm) | Volume (yd³ / m³) | Cost (USD / CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mulch types: wood chip (general), pine bark (acidic-leaning), leaf mold (slow nutrient release), pine-needle (acid-loving plants). Target 2 to 3 in (5 to 7.5 cm) depth at the dripline ring; keep mulch 2 to 3 in (5 to 7.5 cm) away from the trunk. Avoid the "mulch volcano" shape.
Multi-year DBH growth tracking
| Year | Tree ID | Spring DBH (in / cm) | Fall DBH (in / cm) | Annual growth (in / cm) | Health notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Most established trees add 0.5 to 1.5 in (1.3 to 3.8 cm) of trunk diameter per year. Slow-growing conifers and oaks: 0.3 to 0.7 in. Fast-growing maples and poplars: 1.5 to 2.5 in. Persistent low growth or a year-over-year drop greater than 50 percent warrants investigation; consult cooperative extension or a certified arborist.
Quick reference: target pH and N rate by species
| Species type | Target pH | N rate (lb / 1,000 sq ft root zone) | Best timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deciduous tree | 6.0 to 7.5 | 2.0 | Fall after leaf-drop or early spring pre-bud-break | Mature (DBH over 20 in) often needs none |
| Coniferous evergreen | 6.0 to 7.5 | 1.0 or skip | Late spring after new growth | Many established conifers need no supplemental N |
| Fruit tree | 6.0 to 7.5 | 3.0 total (split 2 + 1) | Pre-bud-break + post-harvest | Higher demand from fruiting |
| Acid-loving (blueberry, rhodo, azalea) | 4.5 to 6.0 | 2.0 | Early spring + late summer | Use ammonium-sulfate or Espoma Holly-Tone |
| Shrub (general) | 6.0 to 7.5 | 1.0 | Early spring | One application per year is usually enough |
| Newly planted (year 1) | Match species | 0 (do not fertilize) | Water + mulch only | Begin in year 2 if needed |
Quick reference: dripline ring math and where NOT to fertilize
| Concept | Formula or rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Root zone area | DBH (in) × 100 sq ft | 6 in DBH = 600 sq ft (56 m²) |
| Dripline radius | 1.5 × DBH in feet | 6 in DBH = 9 ft (2.7 m) radius |
| Dripline ring width | 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 0.9 m) | Center the ring on the dripline |
| Scratch-in depth | 2 to 3 in (5 to 7.5 cm) | Cultivator or hand rake |
| Trunk standoff | Minimum 6 in (15 cm) | Never against the bark |
| Year-1 sapling | Do NOT fertilize | Water 10 gal / 38 L per in DBH / week |
| Mature tree (DBH over 20 in) | Halve the rate or skip | Verify deficiency before applying |
| Drought stress | Do NOT fertilize | Wait for rain or substantial irrigation |
| Wrong pH for species | Address pH first with lime or sulfur | Wait 4 to 6 weeks after amendment |
Quick reference: lab routing for tree zone soil tests
| Country / region | Lab | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (any state) | State Cooperative Extension | Free to USD 25 | Search "[state] cooperative extension soil test" |
| US private lab | Logan Labs (Ohio) | USD 30 to 50 | Popular for organic / biodynamic full mineral panels |
| US private lab | A&L Western Agricultural Labs | USD 25 to 45 | Multiple US locations |
| Canada nationwide | A&L Canada Laboratories (London, ON) | CAD 45 to 65 | Largest private lab; ships nationwide |
| Canada (BC, AB, ON, QC) | ALS Canada | CAD 40 to 60 | Fast turnaround in the West |
| Quebec | MAPAQ | CAD 35 to 50 | Tests in French or English |
| BC / AB / SK / MB | Provincial agronomy office | CAD 30 to 45 | BC Ministry of Agriculture, Alberta Innovates, SK Soil Testing Lab (U of S), MB Agriculture |
| Atlantic Canada | NS Soils Lab / PEI Analytical / NB Agriculture | CAD 30 to 50 | Provincial; residential service available |
Sampling protocol: 5 to 8 sub-samples per tree zone, 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) deep, taken at the dripline ring. Mix in a clean plastic bucket, air-dry, send about 1 cup. Tell the lab the species (deciduous, fruit, acid-loving, etc.) so recommendations match.
Notes & observations
Frequently Asked Questions
Why log trees and shrubs separately from the lawn?
Three reasons. (1) Decision cycles differ: lawn fertilization is yearly with multiple applications; tree fertilization is often zero applications per year for healthy mature trees and 1 to 2 for younger or struggling trees. (2) Per-tree tracking matters: when one oak struggles and another thrives in the same yard, the log tells you which one got pH amendment, fertilizer, or mulch differently. Memory exaggerates. (3) DBH growth tracking is the early warning system for tree health: most trees add 0.5 to 1.5 inches of trunk diameter per year; consistently slower than that signals soil or pest issues worth investigating. A paper log takes 5 minutes per tree per year and pays back in better care decisions.
How often should I measure DBH?
Once a year, ideally at the same time (early spring or fall). Use a flexible tape at 4.5 ft (1.4 m) above ground. Measure circumference and divide by 3.14 if you do not have a diameter tape. Mark the trunk at the measurement height with a small dab of paint or a tied ribbon so subsequent years measure at the same spot. Year-over-year growth: most species add 0.5 to 1.5 inches of DBH per year; oaks and slow-growing conifers can be 0.3 to 0.7 inch; fast-growing maples and poplars can be 1.5 to 2.5 inches. A consistently slow grower or a tree that has stopped growing entirely needs investigation.
Where in Canada should I send a tree soil sample?
A&L Canada Laboratories (London, ON) handles tree-zone samples nationwide at CAD 45 to 65 per sample. ALS Canada has multiple labs across BC, AB, ON, QC for faster western turnaround. MAPAQ (Quebec public lab) tests in French or English at CAD 35 to 50. Provincial agronomy offices serve their own provinces: BC Ministry of Agriculture, Alberta Innovates, SK Soil Testing Lab, MB Agriculture, NS Soils Lab (Bible Hill), PEI Analytical Services, NB Agriculture. For US-side trees, state Cooperative Extension labs at any Land Grant University handle tree zone samples for free to USD 25. Sample 4 to 6 inches deep at the dripline ring; mix 5 to 8 sub-samples per tree zone.
What does year-over-year DBH growth tell me?
It is the simplest tree-health metric available to homeowners. Most established trees add 0.5 to 1.5 inches of trunk diameter per year under good conditions. A tree that adds 0.2 to 0.3 inches per year is stressed: drought, pest pressure, soil compaction, or fertilizer deficiency. A tree that has stopped growing entirely is declining and needs investigation. Compare year-over-year, not against neighbors (genetics, microclimate, and underplanting all vary). Track on the multi-year DBH section of this log; flag any year-over-year drop greater than 50 percent.