VOLCANOES ARE BAD!
DONUTS ARE GOOD!
One of my pet peeves when inspecting a property is seeing those mounds of mulch around trees. They look like mini-volcanoes! What a waste of money. Not only is excessive mulch a waste of money, replacing the tree (when it dies from too much mulch) is costly.
Mulching trees is highly effective for improving the soil environment for root growth. Mulches moderate soil temperatures, conserve soil moisture, provide organic material and provide a buffer against compaction of the soil. Mulch in lieu of grassy turf eliminates competition for water and nutrients between turf and trees. Mulch can also be pretty and can add to the curb appeal at your community.
Other benefits of mulch include the reduction of damage to the tree from drought and pests. Mulch helps keep lawn mowers and string trimmers from damaging the bark of a tree. Damaged bark is an open wound that can be infected by fungus and bacteria that can kill trees.
According to the New Jersey Shade Tree Federation, the best mulches for trees consist of bark chunks or shredded bark that is at least 3/8 inch in size. Pine bark will last longer than hardwood bark. One-year-old wood chips are also good, as are leaves that were shredded and composted for at least three months.
The worst mulches for trees are fresh wood chips, any fresh organic mulch, peat moss or sawdust, pebbles, rocks and ground-up rubber tires.
When applying mulch the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Parks and Forestry suggests the following:
· Keep mulch away from the root collar of the tree. The root collar is the flared area of the trunk just above ground level.
· Put the mulch on the soil surface and do not mix it into the soil. Let mulch decay naturally into the soil at its own pace.
· For newly planted trees, mulch out to one foot beyond the root ball, enlarge the mulch circle a foot or two each year to allow for root growth. FORM A DONUT around the tree!
· For established trees, start mulch 6 inches from the tree truck at ground level and mulch outward to the edge of the drip line to a maximum depth of 2 inches to 4 inches. Keep in mind that this is total mulch, not yearly applications! [The drip line runs from the outermost branch of the tree to the ground, all the way around the tree.]
· For tall trees that have narrow drip lines, mulch out 1-foot for each 1-inch of the tree trunk’s diameter.
· Never pile-up a cone of mulch around the tree trunk. Mice, insects and fungus may hide next to the trunk and feed on parts of the tree.
· Every spring or every other spring, rake or remove any hard crust of old mulch and add only enough new mulch to maintain a 2-inch to 4-inch layer, Never build up layers of mulch by adding new mulch on top of the old mulch around a tree.
Improper mulching kills trees! Mulch should never be piled up into a cone around a tree trunk. Mulch volcanoes kill trees and waste money on excess mulch material. Remember: VOLCANOES ARE BAD, DONUTS ARE GOOD.
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