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LIVING REMINDERS
CARING FOR

by Danielle Green
Naples Zoo, Director of Grounds and Gardens
N aples Zoo at Caribbean

Gardens is a special place.
Within these 44 acres in the
heart of Naples are living
reminders of the history of this property
and its evolution from a personal garden
of Dr. Henry Nehrling to the world class
zoological garden that it is today. Caring
for the historic specimen trees on this
property requires a plan that includes
inspection and routine plant health care.
As part of Naples Zoo’s plant health care,
annual deep root fertilization is performed
on over 30 specimen trees around the zoo.
Deep root fertilization is a process where
a specially formulated nutrient solution
is injected into the root zone (area under
the canopy) of trees. The nutrients are
injected under pressure which helps aerate
and provide oxygen to the root system.
The soil injection begins just below the
surface and goes to a depth of up to twelve
inches beneath the soil. Injection sites
are placed two feet apart in a grid pattern
under the canopy area and beyond the
drip line of the tree. Naples Zoo’s tree
care partner, Davey Tree, uses a patented
product designed by The Davey Institute
- Arbor Green PRO. This product is
intended to mimic the natural availability
of nutrients in the forest environment. This
ensures that these gentle giants get the
nutrients required for healthy growth and
development. Just a few benefits of these
nutrients include increased root growth,
improved pest and disease resistance,
greener foliage and better drought
resistance. Be sure to check out these
Naples Zoo icons on your next visit!

Life in Naples | May • June • July 2017 29