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HOW TO PROPERLY LAY MULCH

Providing mulch for your trees is like clothing for them. It keeps the scorching sun off  of the roots in the summer and protects them from the bitter cold during the winter. The best way to guarantee it done correctly is to call a professional.

 However, if you're the avid weekend do-it-yourselfer, here are a few helpful tips for laying mulch.

1. Find the best trunk, if there are more than one, pick the best one and cut the others.

2. Once trunk is established, use garden tools to rid a circumference of all weeds, grass and other growth, serious weekenders may choose to work with their hands, being sure to pull up by roots to prevent re growth. If tools are used, be careful not to damage trunk or tree roots.

3. Re check to be certain all roots, weeds, debris are cleared, some can be stubborn and will come up right through mulch if roots are left underground.

4. Create a circle around the base of the tree that lines up with the "water drop line" of the tree, where branches begin to bend. If it is a young sapling, allow for a bit of growth, but not too much. You don't want mulch being washed away next time it rains. The water falling from branches will be adequate moisture for the mulch to hold.

5. Avoid putting mulch right up against tree trunk. This may look correct, but is not the proper way to lay mulch. This is where your fly-by-night companies miss the mark. It is a haven for bugs to lay eggs and infect your tree. It is a moisture trap and will actually rot your trunk. You need a circumference of approximately 6 inches around the trunk for water to seep down into the ground.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO APPLY MULCH ON MY TREES

Once you have a clear circle around the trunk, free of weeds and debris, you are ready to lay mulch. In the case of mulch, the old saying rings true, less is more. You only need mulch about 3-4 inches deep to adequately protect your tree.

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED
*A wheel barrel.
*Old newspapers, to lay under mulch.
*A shovel.
* Work gloves.
*A rake, to spread mulch.

TIP: Do not use chemicals to remove weeds, if necessary, get ground wet, let ground soften, pull up by roots.
If any roots from tree are showing, cover with dirt first.

Steps to take
1.Lay newspaper down. This helps reduce weed growth, it is bio degradable, recycling is always a good thing.
2. Use shovel to distribute mulch, do not dump barrel all in one place.
3. Rake evenly around circumference.
4. Be sure NOT to lay mulch up against trunk.
5. Measure depth, 3-4 inches will be sufficient.


OPTIONAL: You can use bricks or wood blocks to create a border around mulch.

AVOID VOLCANO MULCHING  

Remember, when mulching, less is more. If you use more than 3-4 inches, your tree will not get needed nutrients and therefore will not be healthy. The best way to be sure mulching is done correctly, call us, we'll take good care of you and your trees.


Too much mulch will cause the following problems:

*Roots don’t receive proper nutrients.

*Insects will nest and infect tree.

*Due to lack of oxygen, tree will have to grow a separate root system to survive.

*Tree will not grow properly.




MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR  THE JOB

Q & A

Q: How much mulch do I need to buy?
A: This can vary from job to job, depending on how many trees you plan to mulch. On average, 2-3 bags per tree will suffice.

Q: Does mulch attract bugs?
A: No. There will be no more than there would be without the mulch.

Q: Will termites come if I use hardwood mulch?
A: No. Mulch does not attract them.

Q: What is the best kind of mulch to purchase?
A: The 3 top sellers are,

1. Courser Mulch, best for large areas and your bigger trees.
2. Medium to fine mulch, best for use on flowers and shrubs.
3. Wood Chip mulch, best for backyards & playgrounds.