Our readers keep the lights on and the coffee maker working hard! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Arborvitae browning from the inside out is almost never a watering problem — it is usually a starvation problem. A slow-release fertilizer keeps a steady trickle of nutrients at the root zone for months, so your trees turn that deep green without the burn risk of quick-release formulas. This guide compares the top-rated spikes and granules for evergreens, sized for anything from a single privacy hedge to a 50-tree row.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Here is the honest short version: for most yards, the Jobe’s 15-pack spikes are the easiest win, while the Espoma 18 lb. bag is the best value for large plantings. Read on for the full breakdown of the top slow release fertilizer for arborvitae.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Slow Release Fertilizer For Arborvitae
Your arborvitae need steady feeding, but a sudden nitrogen surge can shock them. A slow-release fertilizer meters out nutrients over weeks or months, so you avoid that shock. To pick the right one, focus on three things: the nutrient ratio, how it delivers the food, and how many trees you’re feeding.
Read the N-P-K numbers first
The three numbers on any bag are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. For evergreens you want the first number — nitrogen — to be highest, because that is what drives green needle growth. Look for ratios like 13-3-4 or 11-3-4, where nitrogen leads clearly.
Spikes or granules: which fits your yard
Spikes are pre-measured sticks you hammer into the soil near the root zone, making it nearly impossible to over-fertilize. Granules are scattered on the surface and watered in, which suits larger areas but requires more careful measuring. Both work well; the choice is really about how many trees you have and how much bending over you want to do.
Match the package size to your planting
A single 15-pack of spikes handles a few young trees, while a 160-count bulk box is designed for long privacy hedges or a full property line. Check the coverage on the label before you buy — running out halfway through the season is the most common frustration.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | N-P-K Ratio | Form | Coverage | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jobe’s Evergreen Spikes (15-Pack)★ Best Overall | Easy single-tree feeding | 13-3-4 | Spikes | 15 spikes | Amazon |
| Espoma Evergreen-Tone (8 lb.)Organic Pick | Organic granules | 4-3-4 | Granules | 8 lb. bag | Amazon |
| TreeHelp Premium ArborvitaeSpecialist Choice | Targeted arborvitae feeding | — | Granules | ~3 lb. | Amazon |
| Power Spike for Evergreens | Iron-boosted greening | — | Spikes | 10 spikes | Amazon |
| Espoma Evergreen-Tone (18 lb.) | Large organic plantings | 4-3-4 | Granules | 18 lb. bag | Amazon |
| Nelson NutriStar 21-6-8 | Fast greening, multiple species | 21-6-8 | Granules | 4 lb. | Amazon |
| Jobe’s 01611 (6 x 15-Pack) | Year-long supply | 13-3-4 | Spikes | 90 spikes | Amazon |
| Jobe’s Bulk 160 Count | Long hedges, bulk value | 11-3-4 | Spikes | 160 spikes | Amazon |
In-Depth Reviews
1. Jobe’s 01661 Evergreen Fertilizer Spikes, 15-Pack
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 250+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
Pre-measured spikes deliver a 13-3-4 formula to the root zone for up to 90 days of feeding.
Forget measuring cups and calculating rates — these 15 pre-measured sticks deliver a 13-3-4 formula straight to the root zone, and the slow-release coating feeds for up to 90 days. Owners hammer them into the ground in minutes, which is why the #1 praise by far is effectiveness, mentioned in nearly two dozen reviews. One owner’s small 5-foot evergreen shot past 16 feet after seven years of yearly spikes — the kind of result that convinces you the system works.
Versatility is the quiet strength here. While formulated for evergreens, buyers report using them on limelight hydrangeas and assorted bushes with the same perk-up response. The spikes hold together when pounded into hard dirt, so you are not left with crumbled fertilizer on the surface.
Compared to the 160-count bulk box below, this 15-pack is the perfect trial size — enough to feed a few young trees and confirm the results before committing to a larger investment. The only real complaint is availability: as a long-time user warns, they sell out fast, so order before spring feeding season peaks.
What Wins Owners Over
- Pre-measured spikes mean zero guesswork on dosage
- Holds together when hammered into hard ground
- One application covers a full 90-day feeding window
What to Watch
- Regularly sells out during peak season
- 15 spikes only suits a few trees, not a long hedge
Reach for this if: you want the easiest, most simple to use way to feed a few evergreens or shrubs without measuring or mixing.
Look elsewhere if: you are feeding a full privacy row — you will need the larger bulk options further down.
2. Espoma Organic Evergreen-Tone 4-3-4, 8 lb. Bag
A certified-organic granule that feeds your evergreens twice a year with zero mixing required.
If you garden organically, this is the formula to know. The 4-3-4 analysis is built from natural ingredients and boosted with Espoma’s exclusive Bio-tone, and it is registered as an Organic Input Material — meaning it meets organic production standards. You also get 5% sulfur, which acid-loving evergreens appreciate. It works across needle and broadleaf evergreens alike, from pine and fir to azaleas and rhododendrons.
The real-world results speak to timing. One owner applied it just before fall and watched plants thrive well into November, then saw everything grow “so much stronger” the following spring. That two-season response aligns with the label’s guidance: most evergreens are best fed in early spring and late fall. The bag is ready to use straight from the package — no mixing, no measuring cups.
Compared to the spike options, granules give you more control over exact coverage across a larger planting. The trade-off is the smell: the natural formula has a strong odor that several owners flag. It is the cost of going organic, and it fades after watering in.
Why it works: The organic base plus Bio-tone delivers steady feeding without synthetic chemicals, and the twice-a-year schedule keeps evergreens green through both growth windows.
The honest catch: The barnyard scent is noticeable at application time — plan to water it in right away.
3. TreeHelp Premium Fertilizer for Arborvitae
The formula made specifically for arborvitae, designed to fix browning through root development.
Most fertilizers are generic for evergreens, but TreeHelp made one specifically for arborvitae. The roughly 3-pound bag uses slow-release nitrogen (a form that feeds gradually over months) to keep nourishing through the entire growing season. The brand’s stated goal is long-term vitality through sturdy root development. One bag treats one large tree or 2-3 smaller or newly planted ones.
One owner’s 50 browning arborvitae turned green after a single application. One owner with 50 arborvitae planted in a row sprinkled the food just before heavy rain — the trees were browning, but after the feed they turned green. It took a while for the granules to work into the ground, but the turnaround was decisive. For a hedge that size, the single-bag coverage is remarkably efficient.
The catch: the label’s rates surprise some people. A full 3-pound bag for one grown tree sounds like a lot, and one owner questioned it outright. Follow the included instructions rather than guessing. As one satisfied buyer notes, applying in spring gives the best results.
Best fit: Owners with browning arborvitae who want a formula matched to the exact species rather than a general evergreen blend.
Notable limit: The high application rate per tree can feel wasteful to first-time users — trust the label.
4. Power Spike for Evergreens, 10 Spikes
Iron-fortified spikes release nutrients at the root zone to correct yellowing foliage.
Yellowing evergreens are often an iron deficiency, not a nitrogen one — and this spike is built for exactly that problem. The 10 spikes pack both fertilizer and micronutrients, with iron (Fe) released right at the root zone to drive that deep green luster. The included applicator pounding cap means you are not hunting for a hammer-friendly surface.
Owners mention visible color changes within about two weeks of the first rain or watering. One owner’s blue spruce brightened its bluish tone after the spikes went in, and the verdict on arborvitae specifically is positive — trees looked good, with no harm done. The root-zone delivery is the key design choice: it minimizes nutrient loss to the environment and puts food exactly where feeder roots can take it up.
Compared to the Jobe’s spikes in this list, Power Spike is the more targeted pick if your trees are already losing color. The 10-count box is smaller, so size your hedge accordingly before ordering.
The Strong Points
- Iron fortification directly addresses yellowing foliage
- Free pounding cap included with the spikes
- Root-zone delivery cuts environmental waste
Consider This
- 10 spikes goes quickly on a long hedge
- Color change takes a couple of weeks to show
Pick it for: discolored or deficiency-stressed evergreens that need a color-specific intervention.
Think twice if: you have a large row to feed — the small count means frequent reordering.
5. Espoma Organic Evergreen-Tone 4-3-4, 18 lb. Bag
An 18 lb. organic granule with 4-3-4 analysis and Bio-tone for large plantings.
This is the same Espoma Organic Evergreen-Tone formula as the 8 lb. bag, scaled up to 18 pounds — and at this size it becomes the smart value pick for anyone with a real hedge or multiple trees. The 4-3-4 analysis with 5% sulfur and the Bio-tone enhancement carry over, as does the organic registration. Owners who buy the big bag tend to stay loyal: a multi-year user calls it “absolutely the best fertilizer” and swears by nothing else.
The results are about more than just growth — buyers describe vibrant color and abundant growth, with evergreens turning bright green after feeding. It is ready to use with no mixing; one owner simply used a large measuring cup, followed the directions, and watered thoroughly. The 18 lb. format means you can feed twice a year without reordering.
Honest note: the odor draws mixed reactions, with several owners finding the smell unpleasant — one describes it as barnyard-like, which tracks with the natural chicken-manure ingredient. And a few report poor results on specific trees like pines and thujas, so match this to your species. For most evergreens, the consistent quality is the storyline.
Where it shines: Large organic plantings where the 18 lb. format delivers the best per-feeding value and two-season coverage.
Best to know: The smell is strong at application, and a small minority saw poor results on pines and thujas specifically.
6. Nelson NutriStar 21-6-8 Trees, Shrubs & Evergreens, 4 lb.
A 21-6-8 granule with five timed-release nitrogen sources for steady feeding.
Nelson calls this the landscapers’ choice for over 30 years, and the engineering backs that up. The 21-6-8 formula contains five different nitrogen sources, each with its own time-release characteristic — so instead of one feeding pulse, your trees get a constant supply. The high 21% nitrogen is the reason this is the fastest-greening option in this list.
Yellow boxwoods turned bright green within two weeks of application. Yellow, anemic boxwoods reportedly turned thriving, bright green and shiny within two weeks, and winter-damaged shrubs recovered with minimal pruning. It works on a wide species list from oaks and maples to hollies and boxwoods, in-ground or in containers. Apply every 30 days during the growing season, per the label.
That monthly schedule is the key difference from the slow-release spikes above — you get faster results but more applications. The 4 lb. bag is compact, so it suits a manageable number of trees rather than a full property line.
Why It Gets Results
- Five nitrogen sources sustain feeding over time
- Fast greening reported within two weeks
- Works across a very wide range of shrubs and trees
Plan Around This
- Requires monthly applications, not twice-a-year
- Small bag size limits coverage on big hedges
Choose it if: you want the quickest visible greening and are comfortable with a monthly feeding routine.
Pass on it if: you wanted a true set-and-forget slow release — the spikes below need far fewer applications.
7. Jobe’s 01611 Evergreen Spikes, 6 Packages of 15 (90 Total)
Six 15-packs of the proven Jobe’s spike, enough for a continuous year-long feeding cycle.
This is the same 13-3-4 Jobe’s spike that anchors position one, but bundled as six 15-packs — 90 spikes total. The benefit is logistical: you get a continuous year-long supply of nutrients below the surface, feeding roots twice a year without a mid-season reorder. For acid-loving trees, this is a recurring favorite.
The multi-pack format changes the math entirely. Instead of buying a new box every season, you have a stockpile ready for early spring and late fall applications. Customers note fuller growth, richer color, and healthier evergreens after seasons of use, and the deeper feeding drives strong root development.
One practical tip from experienced users: install in moist soil to avoid the spikes breaking during hammering. A couple of packs arrived with a few crumbly spikes inside — likely old stock, not a functional problem. Compared to the bulk 160-count box below, this 90-count option is the middle ground for a medium-sized hedge.
Why it’s worth it: The six-pack format removes the “ran out mid-season” problem for good with a proven spike formula.
Small gripe: Occasional crumbly spikes in the box — drive them into moist ground to be safe.
8. Jobe’s Slow Release Evergreen Spikes, Bulk 160 Count
A 160-count bulk box with 11-3-4 formula for long hedges and large plantings.
When you have 150+ trees to feed, per-unit economics matter — and this bulk box is the pick owners call out for value. The 160 spikes carry an 11-3-4 formula, pre-measured so there is zero risk of over-fertilizing, and the slow-release delivery avoids wasteful runoff, mess, and smells. Apply twice a year in early spring and late fall, and the box covers a full property line.
One owner installed 60 spikes in 15 minutes using a cordless drill auger. One owner installed 60 spikes in about 15 minutes using a cordless drill with a 1.5-inch garden auger — drill, drop, cover, no pounding, no backache. Late-fall application on 15-20 Leyland cypresses produced impressive growth and greened up a struggling Italian cypress. For those with rocky clay soil, watering the ground first and using the included cap technique prevents breakage.
Two honest notes. First, the spikes ship loose in the box without padding, so some breakage happens in transit — a few owners found broken or shorter spikes, though they still install fine. Second, the count can run slightly short (one box had 145 instead of 160). The value still wins for large plantings, and the price per spike justifies the occasional crumble.
The Bulk Advantage
- Best per-spike value for large hedges
- Pre-measured — no over-fertilizing risk
- Fast installation with a drill auger
Shipping Reality
- Spikes rattle loose and some arrive broken
- Count can run slightly short of 160
Grab this for: long privacy rows or anyone fertilizing 100+ trees who wants the lowest cost per spike.
Expect this: handle the box gently — loose spikes mean occasional breakage in transit.
Understanding the Specs
N-P-K Ratio
The three numbers show the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. For arborvitae, nitrogen comes first — it drives the green needle growth you actually see. Ratios like 13-3-4 or 11-3-4 put nitrogen clearly in the lead, which is what evergreens want.
Slow Release vs. Quick Release
Slow-release formulas meter nutrients out over weeks or months, preventing the shock and burn that quick-release nitrogen can cause. Spikes use a coated slow release, while some granules like the Nelson NutriStar blend multiple timed-release nitrogen sources for a constant feed.
Spikes vs. Granules
Spikes are pre-measured and hammered into the soil near the roots, making over-fertilizing nearly impossible. Granules are scattered and watered in — they give you more control over exact coverage but require careful measuring and more frequent application.
Organic vs. Synthetic
Organic formulas like Espoma feed through natural ingredients and soil biology, often with a noticeable smell. Synthetic options deliver faster, more concentrated results. Both work; the choice depends on your gardening philosophy and how quickly you need results.
FAQ
How often should I fertilize my arborvitae?
What N-P-K ratio is best for arborvitae?
Can I use regular all-purpose fertilizer on arborvitae?
How many spikes does one arborvitae tree need?
Will slow-release fertilizer burn my arborvitae?
What is the difference between spikes and granular fertilizer?
Can I fertilize arborvitae in the fall?
Why are my arborvitae turning brown even after fertilizing?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most people, the slow release fertilizer for arborvitae winner is the Jobe’s 15-Pack Evergreen Spikes because it combines simple to use pre-measured application with a proven 13-3-4 formula (13% nitrogen, 3% phosphate, 4% potash). If you want organic feeding and have a larger planting, grab the Espoma 18 lb. Bag. And for a long privacy hedge, the Jobe’s Bulk 160 Count is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gardening Beyond earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.