Microelements  - There are 17 essential elements (3 + 14) for trees that we know of.  We break them down to two categories.  Macroelements and Microelements.  Macroelements are the big guys - N+P+K which is Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.  Calcium, Sulfur and Magnesium are also microelements.  They are required for life in higher amounts.  On a weight basis, about 99% of most plants are made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, and sulfur.
Then we go to the group called microelements.  They should not be called minor elements.  Indeed, when they are lacking, life stops.   They are needed in very low amounts.  Some microelements are Copper, Chlorine, Boron, Nickel, Molybdenum, Zinc, Iron, Manganese.  Sodium [Na] and Cobalt [Co] may also be required in very micro amounts.  Cobalt may be essential for the mycorrhizal fungi.  Selenium is found in some desert plants.  Nickel is required by the bacteria that form galls on leguminous trees.  The bacteria fix nitrogen.  Silicon may be required by some plants and animals.  Some soils are lacking in some essential elements.  Boron [Bo] must be added to grow pines in some areas of the world.  A healthy tree depends on the correct amounts of essential elements in the soil.
You should know just a little about what each one does.  Just to be on the safe side.  Some of the above are required by the fungi and not so much by the tree. A NUTRIENT IS A COMBINATION OF AN ENERGY SOURCE WITH AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT THAT DOES NOT YIELD ENERGY.  If we could provide food for plants we would put the sun out of business. 

Microelements 2  - On a weight basis, about 99% of most plants are made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur.  The other elements are called microelements.  Sodium [Na] and cobalt [Co] may also be required in very micro amounts.  Cobalt may be essential for the mycorrhizal fungi.

See “Food”. 

See "Essential Elements". 

For a Periodic Table of The Elements do a Google search for "Periodic Table of The Elements".


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