THE LEAFLET

As we gear up for the sweltering summer months, it’s prime time to give our leafy friends a little extra care, especially when it comes to hydration and mulching. While mulching might seem like an afterthought, it’s actually a pretty big deal for our trees since it helps them retain moisture and nutrients for longer periods of time.

Now, let’s chat about a mulching mishap that seems to be popping up more and more often: Volcano Mulching. Imagine a big mound of mulch piled right up against the tree trunk, resembling a mini volcano. While it might not seem like a big deal at first glance, this style of mulching can wreak havoc on our trees in the long run, causing issues such as disease, decay, root rot, and the eventual death of the tree.

But fret not! There’s a smarter way to mulch that’ll keep our trees smiling:

• Grab your trusty rake, flip it over so it’s inverted, and gently spread the mulch in a neat circle around the tree, making sure to avoid piling it up against the trunk.
• Look for organic mulch like shredded bark or composted wood chips – they’re like superfoods for trees, providing nutrients and insulation.
• Don’t forget the 3-3-3 Rule: Spread the mulch around the tree, keeping it about 3 inches deep and extending it out to a radius of about 3 feet from the trunk, leaving a cozy 3-inch gap around the trunk itself.

The tree guard will protect the trunk until the tree outgrows it. At that point, it’s crucial to remove the tree guard before it begins to damage the tree.

Another reason to mulch – If you skip it, you’re likely to have grass growing right up to the trunk. Now, most folks want to tidy up around the base of their tree, so they whip out the weed eater. Normally, to protect the tree from the whirring blades, people install a trunk guard. Unfortunately, if you forget about that guard and leave it on, it can start to damage the trunk as the tree grows. Just another reason as to why mulching is crucial for tree health. When mulch is spread properly around the base of tree, these weedeater guards are no longer needed, promoting better tree health and keeping plastic waste out of our local environment. With all of this in mind, it’s important to note that improper mulching practices are still worse for your tree than leaving it with no mulch at all.

With these simple yet effective steps, we can show our trees some extra love and steer clear of the pitfalls of Volcano Mulching. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, grab that mulch, and get ready to give our trees the care they deserve. Happy mulching!