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Won't fertilizer burn the newly forming roots?

A Warning about Defoliation

Many enthusiasts first try defoliating on trees that are not horticulturally and/or aesthetically ready for defoliation.
Before describing defoliating techniques in detail, it is worth highlighting the need for trees to be healthy and vigorous before leaf-cutting is carried out. The removal of the leaves from a tree is debilitating and will temporarily weaken any bonsai; defoliating should only ever be carried out on vigorous specimens that will be able to recover from the process. Trees that are showing signs of weak growth, whether it be due to recent repotting, disease, styling or recent hard pruning, are not suitable for defoliating.
Be aware that defoliating can be so taxing on a bonsai that failure to respond can occur if the tree is not vigorous; parts of the branch system can be weakened to the point that they die-back.
++bonsai4me.com++

ok so trimming the foliage both increases the strain on a tree and reduces the strain on the pruned root system? is it a matter of how long between pruning and root pruning?

Pinkham wrote: Won't fertilizer burn the newly forming roots?

Fertilizing won't burn any newly forming roots. If that was the case than fertilizing won't be a good idea at all. Fertilizing helps the tree forming new roots rather than kills them.

There is a catch of course. While the tree is dormant, or hasn't got a lot of roots it can't take up a lot fertilizer, so you need to fertilize less. Most fertilizers are salty. The build up of unused fertilizer can cause a layer of salt to form over the roots which detracts the moisture from them. This is called over-fertilizing. over-fertilizing is of course dangerous and may harm or kill a tree.

Root pruning or repotting will cause the tree to go in a shock. It won't grow until it has figured out how to deal with the new situation. This usually takes a few weeks. In this period the tree doesn't need any fertilizer. Fertilizing a tree in this period is useless, but you may also over-fertilize it.

Over-fertilizing is easily prevented by using the right soil-mixture. If you use a well draining mixture containing only grainy ingredients like: akadama, kiryu, cat-litter, etc.
than any build up fertilizers will flush out the next time you water. As long as you water plenty each time.

I always thought fertilizing a tree after root pruning would hurt the wounded roots. wrong again I guess. Oh well, it isn't the first time....and won't be the last. haha