Should I mulch around mature trees? It’s a common question many gardeners have, and one that we hear all the time here at Lamb’s Tree & Plant Health Care.
As Westbrook’s reliable tree and plant health care specialists, we love to help our fellow growers keep their landscapes thriving. The short answer is yes, you should practice proper mulching, as it brings a wealth of benefits without taking too much effort or resources. Read on as we break down the details below.
What’s Mulching?
Your typical urban lawn doesn’t exactly emulate the wilds of Connecticut’s forests. Mulching mimics the natural home of your trees, where fallen leaves and branches form a blanket over the ground.
You do this by applying a two-inch layer of hardwood bark, wood chips, leaves, or other organic matter around the specimens, preferably extending to the outermost edge of their canopies. Many first-timers make the mistake of creating a “mulch volcano” or piling on too much product. Other problems to avoid include:
- Having mulch touching the trunk
- Buying mulch mixed with soil
- Applying new mulch without removing some of the older mulch
- Installing fabric and plastic weed barriers before mulching
Why Do It in the First Place?
The International Society of Arboriculture highly recommends mulching your trees and shrubs, and it’s not difficult to see why. It’s one of the easiest forms of tree maintenance!
When people ask us, “Should I mulch around mature trees?” we go over its biggest advantages:
Slow Down Moisture Loss
Does the ground surrounding your plants always seem to feel bone dry? Trees, young trees in particular. need water to thrive, and a thick covering of mulch insulates the soil and helps it in retaining moisture.
Prevent Erosion
We’ve all seen it. The rain comes down, and suddenly you have an uneven patch of land and a muddy mess. Mulching helps keep the dirt in place and prevents the rain from washing away valuable nutrients.
Create Healthy Soil
You can think of mulch as a slow-release fertilizer. Over time, the organic material will decompose and add nutrients to the ground.
It also prevents compaction. When you choose pine needles, wood chips, or other chunkier options, you create an aerated environment for the roots to breathe in and out. It’s a hassle-free way to improve dense clay soil.
Keep Disease at Bay
Did you know that mulch encourages the growth of beneficial fungi? These microorganisms help the roots ward off disease by suppressing potential pathogens. It even serves as a physical barrier, reducing the mobility of insects and other pests trying to reach your plant.
Reduce Soil Temperature
Does summer sun leave your soil too hot to handle? Mulch acts as a cooling agent, keeping the ground at a comfortable temperature for your tree’s roots.
We hope we’ve thoroughly answered your question, “Should I mulch around mature trees?” If you need further assistance from a certified arborist, Lamb’s Tree & Plant Health Care can help.
Give us a call at 860-266-0494. Our veteran crew will happily lend a hand! Stable Trader
