Mulching Trees & Shrubs

What's all the hype about mulch?

If you're interested in beautiful, healthy trees and shrubs to enhance the aesthetic and monetary value of your property, the benefits of good organic mulch are immeasurable. Mulching requires an initial investment of time and energy, but the cost is minimal, especially when compared to the price of
having to remove and replace unhealthy or unsightly plants.

 
A properly applied mulch promotes:

Water infiltration and retention. Mulch keeps roots moist during hot, dry summers weather reducing watering needs.
• Stable soil temperature. By insulating the surrounding soil against extreme heat and cold, mulch can prevent root damage which stunts growth potential.
• Better soil quality and aeration. As mulch decomposes into the soil, the resulting organic matter adds vital nutrients and oxygen which accelerate the growth rate.
• Resistance to disease and insect attack. The healthier your trees and shrubs are, the more resistant they are to illness and infestation.

• Erosion and compaction of soil. A spongy protective layer of mulch prevents soil from washing away or becoming packed too firmly.
• Excessive weed growth around trees. A dense layer of mulch helps prevent weeds from growing under your trees and shrubs.
• Mower, string trimmer and herbicide damage. Because mulch virtually eliminates grass and weeds around your trees and shrubs, there is no need to mow or spray harmful chemicals near the base of your plants. Mowers and string trimmers are notorious for causing bark damage.

Many common organic materials can be used as a mulch including wood chips, shredded leaves, grass clippings, bark an conifer needles. Mulching is an ideal way to constructively utilize yard waste that could otherwise be costly to remove.

Mulch is most effective when applied to an area where the greass has been removed. For a full grown tree, mulch should be placed in a saucer shaped ring two to three inches thing and at least four feet in diameter. For smaller trees and saplings, the diameter of the mulch ring should be one foot for every inch of the tree's diameter. Ideally, the mulch will extend to the dripline, and invisible line from the edge of the canopy to the ground.

A good mulch ring will be constructed with finer material closest to the ground and more coarse material layered on top.

Mulch should not be piled against the trunk as this will create excess moisture retention on the bark and may result in disease or infestation. Instead, have it taper towards the base of the plant.