HOW TO PROPERLY APPLY MULCH AROUND A TREE

Mulching helps young trees survive their first few years of life. Mulched trees have better odds of survival and grow at faster rates than non-mulched trees. 

Unfortunately, many tree owners unintentionally lay down mulch in a manner that harms trees, by building up huge "mulch volcanoes" that eventually cause rot, disease, and death. 

Let's review safe and effective mulching, including:

•   The benefits of mulch for young trees

•   The best time of year for mulching trees

•   The proper method for applying mulch around a tree

•   What not to do: mulch volcanoes 

Benefits of Mulch for Young Trees

Mulching is the best action you can take to improve the health and growth rate of your young trees. Mulching is a great idea for all of your trees that were recently planted or are in their first few years of life. 

The many benefits of adding mulch around young trees include: 

•   Improves soil moisture retention

•   Keeps soil cool during summer and warm during winter

•   Prevents runoff and soil erosion 

•   Establishes a protective lawn-mower buffer 

•   Enhances landscape aesthetic 

As long as mulching is performed properly, it's a simple landscaping task that provides major benefits and presents no downsides. 

When Should Trees Be Mulched?

Early to mid-spring is a good time for adding a layer of mulch to young landscaping trees. 

If you don't get around to mulching during the spring, there's no harm in mulching trees during the summer. Summer is also a good time to refresh your mulch layers to replace chips that have been blown away or scattered during yard activity. 

If your tree has a diameter over 10 inches, it no longer requires mulching. If you're mulching solely for aesthetic purposes, continue to follow the best practices described below to avoid damaging the tree. 

What Is the Proper Way to Mulch a Tree?

Properly mulching a tree is simple, but it's important to follow best practices to avoid harming the trunk and roots. 

Begin by pulling up and discarding any weeds that are growing in the area that you'll be mulching. 

Then add a layer of mulch around the tree that extends 2-3 feet from the trunk. The maximum depth of the mulch layer should be 2-3 inches. 

In the area immediately surrounding the trunk, don't put down any mulch at all. No mulch should be touching the bark. Unlike the harmful volcano shape that's often used, opt instead for a donut shape. The center of your mulch circle should be empty around the trunk, rather than forming a slope that climbs up the base of the trunk. 

What Not to Do: Mulch Volcanoes

Now, let's talk about what not to do -- the dreaded "mulch volcano." 

Volcano-style mulching involves creating a tall mound of mulch around the base of a tree. The mulch slopes upward around the trunk so that the first few inches of the trunk are entirely coated.

Mulch volcanoes remain popular, despite the well-established knowledge that they harm trees. 

The problem with mulch volcanoes is that they cover up the bark. The bark is a tree's armor, meant to be exposed to the open air. If you dig a few inches into the dirt around a tree's trunk, you won't find bark, you'll find roots. Keeping the root layer and bark layer separate is important. 

Bark should be kept dry so it can maintain a strong protective layer for the tree. 

When the bark is covered in mulch, it becomes soggy and soft. This condition allows insects and diseases to penetrate the bark layer and enter the tree. Thus begins the tree's gradual decline toward an early death. 

Essentially, mulch volcanoes turn the base of your tree into a compost pile. 

Here's the takeaway: mulch is good, but mulch volcanoes are tree killers To promote strong and rapidly growing trees, resist the urge to pile lots of mulch around the trunk. Follow the proper mulching steps described above, and your trees will thank you by living long and healthy lives.