I need help from a mulching guru. I started mulching around my trees and wanted to know the proper method.?
Question:I need help from an expert on mulching around a tree. I always see how trees are mulched from the trunk outwards in a dome shape. Is that actually the way mulching should be done around a tree? I have also heard that too much mulch covering up the lower trunk of the tree is unhealthy for the tree and can cause disease later. What is the proper way to mulch? I need to know the correct way to do it. Thanks for the great answers and the time.
Answers:
Yeah volcanos/burial mounds aren't good . Not a good look either .
This site gives good, complete advice on all aspects of landscaping . http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com...
One caution . If you live in the Northeast, upper Midwest, ( not sure of Mid Atlantic) , or eastern half of Canada , don't mulch fruit trees . Lately Dogwood borer, Roundheaded Apple Borer , & some other related Apple Borers have been hitting fruit trees hard, ( All related, in rose family , so .) , esp apples . Mulch provides the best conditions for the insects . Damage has been much more prevelent in mulched trees.
Ps Don't use that #*^*#@**! bright red , ground-up-picinic-table-lookin... stuff (please) . ;D Matter of taste, but objectively speaking , it's so noticeable,that it's the first thing your eyes go to. The house and plants are almost an afterthought . If it's a consideration look at other houses with it , & notice what your eyes do , & think about how you want to see your house & have it seen . Better ( & cheaper) to get it right the first time .Mention it , because I've replaced the red with something else, for several people .
This link below gives some GREAT advice.
Mulching is very beneficial to a tree. But as the link will show.
Building a "mulch volcano" can be very bad as you stated.
I put the link rather than C & P ing all the info on here.
I hope this helps.
No.. don't make the volcano. a layer of mulch 3-4 " deep is perfect for tree mulching. keep the mulch a half inch off the trunk of the tree. Overmulching can create disease problems because of too mulch moisture being held against the trunk.
Many arborists recommend that the mulch ring be the size of the drip line of the tree (the fullest extent of it's branches). I personally keep about a 4 foot diameter of mulch around a trunk.
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