I have a Chinkapin Oak that is huge and we have been collecting a very few caterpillars this year. Up until last week we were collecting 40-50 pillars and since the tree was electrocuted by a lightning strike nearby we now have only 5-10 pillars.
Circumference is: 140", Crown Spread: 70', Height: 97'
I do not see much if any damage to the tree from the pillars. The ground beneath the tree is wildflower and woodchip mulch. The other 1/3 of ground under tree is in a very :censored: nasty neighbor's yard which is grass. He called the city to complain about my bird feeding since he was concerned that the birds ate and pooped in the same areas
. Yet the smell and odor from his fireplace was horrendous it put me on the ground gasping for breath from asthma attack, now you know why he is terrrible.
Anyway I would like to feed this tree economically since I can not afford much and I could maybe do myself if possible. Do you need special feeding gear or will a drill auger do? How deep does one go, I thought the roots are mainly surface?
We have about 30 Spruces and Firs growing in our yard and 1 walnut tree, several smooth and shag bark Hickories,Chestnuts and Elms.