Should I Mulch Around Trees or Not? Yes & Here's Why | Davey Blog | Davey Tree (2024)

FAQs

Should I Mulch Around Trees or Not? Yes & Here's Why | Davey Blog | Davey Tree? ›

Mulch gives the soil (and your tree!) added nutrients.

Applying a layer of mulch around your tree's base can help protect its roots from the elements, locking in moisture and reducing its competition with other nearby plants – like your lawn. It can also supply your tree with vital nutrients throughout the year and discourage insects and other pests from moving in.

Mulching around trees isn't just an aesthetic choice; it's a fundamental aspect of tree care that nurtures their well-being and longevity. The benefits extend far beyond aesthetics, encompassing weed control, moisture retention, temperature regulation, erosion prevention, and disease management.

When spreading mulch around trees, aim for 3 to 4 inches of mulch at least (up to 6 inches is fine). In landscape beds and vegetable gardens, about 2 to 3 inches of mulch is usually enough (but go with composted wood chips, rather than fresh, or a different type of organic mulch).

Adding a mulch around the base of your trees is an important part of Tree Care that is often overlooked. Mulch helps trees get established by moderating the soil temperatures, conserving soil moisture, suppressing weed growth and discourages injury from lawn mowers and weed-whips.

Disadvantages of Mulching

Excessive mulch that is a layer more than 3 inches deep can suffocate and bury plants. In this case, oxygen and water are unable to reach the roots. A layer of 2 to 3 inches of mulch is enough.

Mulch is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to add a pop of color and style around your trees.

The Wrong Mulch

Rock and stone absorb heat, which is fine in the winter but will cause heat stress for plants during hot, dry weather. Rubber mulch is great underneath a child's play set, but it can leach chemicals into the soil, which may be toxic to plants.

Cramping the base of the tree with a lot of mulch may induce roots to extend upward into the mulch in an attempt to get oxygen. This might cause “stem girdling roots,” a condition in which roots begin to wrap around the trunk of the tree, potentially obstructing the passage of water and nutrients.

Ideally, you want to mulch out to the drip line of a tree. A thinner layer of mulch over a broader area is much better than a mulch volcano for the health and longevity of the tree. This allows the tree to "breathe"; rather, it allows the moisture to escape, preventing the growth of fungus and minimizing rot and decay.

Is it better to mulch or wood chips around trees? ›

It is okay to use fresh arborist wood chips as mulch around trees and shrubs as long as they are not incorporated into the soil. They are not recommended for use around annuals and vegetables. Sawdust and, to a lesser extent, wood chips deplete soil nitrogen, if worked into the soil.

Tree fruit should be mulched to the drip line with 6 to 8 inches of straw or hay in May. Mulch should be reapplied periodically and pulled away from trees at the end of August or early September. This will allow trees to harden off and to reduce mouse pressure around the tree.

To be effective, leaves must be chopped or shredded first. Large, broad leaves such as maple, oak and elm can become matted and may smother plants if they are not shredded, blocking air and water from reaching the roots and fostering fungus and rot.

But, generally, using organic mulch made from wood chips or bark will be the best choice. It's one of the easiest and least expensive ways to ensure the long-term health and fertility of your soil and the health of your trees and shrubs.