Mulch Is Magnificent for Trees

Photo: Melissa Carroll/istock

By Brian Clark Howard

Mulch around your trees to save water and cut down on weeds.

Mulch is a thin layer of organic (ground bark, compost, saw dust, grass clippings and leaf mold) or inorganic (shredded tires and the like) material placed on soil. It cools the earth below and holds in moisture, decreasing the amount of watering you have to do (typically by hundreds of gallons a year). Mulches help protect tree roots, and the organic varieties provide valuable fertilizer as they break down over time.

Mulches cut down on the number of weeds that can compete with your trees, meaning you don't have to use chemical controls. The few weeds that do sprout can be pulled easier from mulch than from surrounding soil.

Gardening experts recommend spreading mulch at least 3 to 4 inches thick around trees, but make sure it is spaced several inches away from the trunks, to discourage rodents and rot. Replenish mulches annually as needed.

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