Is It Bad to Put Mulch Around Trees?

As fall winds down and winter approaches, a lot of property owners are taking steps to protect their plants and trees from harsh weather and extreme cold over the coming months. There are countless ways for property owners to care for their trees during the winter months, but there is a lot of confusion out there about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to tree care. If you’re wondering whether it’s a good idea to put mulch around your trees in Newton, MA, keep reading for some professional insight and advice.

What is mulch supposed to do?

Mulch is made of organic materials and is designed to protect trees and encourage healthy growth. Organic mulch is made of things like pine needles, bark, grass clippings, newspaper, shredded leaves and straw. Mulch is applied around trees to prevent the growth of weeds, preserve moisture in the soil and regulate soil temperature to keep it cool during the summer and warm during the winter. In addition, mulch naturally improves the quality of soil as it decomposes to promote healthy tree growth.

Is mulch good for trees?

Despite all the benefits of mulch, a lot of people have questions about whether it’s actually good for trees. In fact, many property owners who apply mulch around their trees find they may experience some harm as a result. The reality is that mulch is good for trees, but only if it’s used properly. When mulch is applied incorrectly or in excess, it can cause trees to decay. The good news is that there are some simple tree care tips in Newton, MA you can follow to maximize mulch’s benefits for your trees:

• Don’t mulch too much: When it comes to mulch, less is more. Using too much mulch can create a lot of problems for trees by suffocating their roots and leading to excessive moisture and decay. Apply mulch in a four- to five-foot diameter around the tree, and keep it between two to four inches deep for the best results. Laying on mulch any thicker can cause issues for your tree.
• Keep mulch away from the trunk: Piling up mulch directly against the trunk of a tree can suffocate the tree and damage it. Instead, make sure there are a few inches of space between the mulch and the tree trunk to keep your tree as healthy as possible.
• Consider professional tree care: While there are a lot of things property owners can do on their own to keep trees healthy, hiring a professional can improve outcomes significantly. Tree care experts know how to make sure trees are kept healthy during the winter months and throughout the year.

Professional tree care

If you’re looking for more tree care tips in Newton, MA, reach out to the team of experts at BBD Tree Service. We are a local, family-owned tree service company with 20 years of experience providing comprehensive tree care services to property owners throughout the area. We have the experience, skills and tools necessary to prepare trees for the winter months and keep them as healthy and happy as possible, no matter what the forecast has in store. Schedule tree care services by giving our team a call today.

Categorised in: Tree Maintenance

This post was written by Writer