Mulch Volcanoes

Now that winter is behind us, and the snow blowers are being replaced by lawnmowers, many residents and landscapers are dressing up their gardens and curbside trees with mulch and decorative wood chips. Although it may look nice now, that big pile of mulch or red chips surrounding your trees and shrubs can do more harm than good.

Proper mulching around trees and shrubs conserves moisture, deters weed growth, and reduces compacting of the surrounding soil. However, according to the International Society of Aboriculture, “As beneficial as mulch is, too much can be harmful. The generally recommended mulching depth is 2 to 4 inches. Unfortunately, North American landscapes are falling victim to a plague of over mulching. A new term, 'mulch volcanoes,' has emerged to describe mulch that has been piled up around the base of trees”. Some problems associated with these “volcanoes” are excessive water retention which can lead to root rot, creating habitats for small rodents or insects that will chew at the base bark of the tree and poor air circulation resulting in disease. All of these problems can lead to the death of a tree, but are easily remedied.

To avoid these problems simply pull the mulch back several inches from the tree so that the base of the trunk and the root crown is exposed. That’s all it takes. This will not only help your tree, but will also loosen up and refresh the mulch. You will have healthier trees and shrubs and be able to enjoy them for many years to come.

For more information on the care and health of your trees go to http://www.treesaregood.com.