Mulch Trees Correctly
Posted: June 1, 2011
By Barbara Brodie, Master Gardener
As we work in our yards it’s important to mulch the area around your trees correctly. Putting mounds of mulch around the trunks is inviting rodents to come and nibble and then diseases to set in and is keeping the oxygen from reaching the roots. If this ‘volcano’ use continues, over time new roots will occur on the trunk of the tree. When the mulch is removed these roots have no protection.
So how do we mulch correctly?
1) Keep mulch 3-4 inches away from the trunk of the tree.
2) Each spring rake out last years decaying mulch out to the drip line. This mulch should only be about 2 inches thick.
New rough textured mulch can be up to 4 inches thick BUT stay away from the trunk and rake towards the drip line
