Did you know that something as simple as mulching your shrubs and trees can promote plant health, help ward off diseases and pests, and minimize stress?
Why you should mulch
Mulch isn’t just for making your landscaping look nice. (Though it does that, too!)Trees growing in an urban (or even suburban) environment have a much shorter life expectancy than trees growing in a natural environment. Various stress factors make urban trees more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and root damage.
Used alongside other plant health strategies, mulching around your shrubs and your trees brings these benefits:
- Enhances root growth
- Regulates soil temperature during hot and cold months
- Retains moisture
- Provides a buffer space to prevent damage from lawnmowers
- Reduces the risk of soil compaction
How to mulch around your shrubs and trees
With all those benefits in mind, you’re probably feeling ready to go lay some mulch! But before you go overboard, here’s how to do it right:- Type of mulchUse natural mulch, such as wood or bark chips. Organic matter helps condition your soil by adding nutrients and reducing soil compaction. Add some compost to the mix and your plants will be well fed!
- Distance from your tree“Volcano mulching,” or piling the mulch too high and too close to your tree’s trunk, can actually harm your tree instead of help it. Tree bark decay, burrowing pests, fungi, and circling roots all result from improper mulching. Keep the mulch about 4-6 inches away from the trunk of your tree or shrub.
- Layer it 2-4 inchesJust as mulching too close to your tree can cause harm, mulching too thinly or too thickly can cause problems, too. Keep your layer of mulch between 2-4 inches thick. This will allow your tree to absorb enough moisture but also have enough oxygen to keep the roots happy.
Care for your shrubs and trees by mulching properly. You’ll receive happy, healthy plants as a result. If you’d like to know more about mulching around your trees and shrubs or about other ways you can promote healthy plants on your property, call your local Schneider Shrub & Tree Care and we’d be happy to help you learn how to care for your plants.
