Laying mulch is one of the best practices to preserve the look and health of your trees. It provides a beautiful, neat ground cover and retains water instead of running off, providing more water for the tree and less for erosion. Even better, as mulch decomposes, it improves the organic conditions of the soil below.
However, like many things in life, mulch is only effective if you know how to use it correctly. If done right, it can provide all of the above benefits. If done wrong, it can cause harm and long-term damage to the trees.
Use these tips to properly apply your mulch to your beds:
- Extend mulch out to the drip line of the trees you are mulching (or as far out as possible).
- Only apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch. Too much mulch can cause a suffocating effect on the trees roots.
- Never place mulch in direct contact with the trunk of the tree.
If you follow these tips, mulch will not only look great around your trees, it will also be beneficial for your trees.
