There is plenty to think about when it comes to the health of your plants and shrubs surrounding your home or located in a garden but do you ever consider the same for trees? Often appearing tall, solid, and strong, far too often trees are forgot about in terms of needing an appropriate amount of water, sunlight, and protection in order to survive. While this may be due to their ability to naturally withstand many of the harsh weather elements that may face and sustain a suitable nature without much human care - it doesn’t mean they should be completely ignored.

Especially when first planted or moved, trees require almost an identical approach to their care pattern and maintenance as any other plants. In order to fully reap their benefits and ensure trees live a long, healthy life the same approach should be given. However, for many homeowners that inherit trees on their property, the livelihood of these natural plants is often never given a second thought unless it presents some type of hazard.

When a tree falls, grows to a height where it could be a danger to property should it come down, or begins to lose limbs and leaves causing a clean-up headache - then it becomes an issue. Often before that point, many homeowners don’t even notice these giants living among us and rarely take into consideration their needs as a plant on an equal playing field with flowers and grasses.

Tree care is important and one of the most beneficial things you can do for all located in your yard or on property is to provide an appropriate amount of mulch in the needed locations around one. But what is the correct amount and where should it be administered? These are important questions which must be determined in order to not harm a tree while intending to do good.

Mulch Benefits

There are many benefits of mulching that help both the trees and homeowner. For humans, created a barrier around areas that others shouldn’t track through can be achieved by adding mulch beds. Often individuals walking through or around a property will avoid any mulched areas and instead stay solely on paths or walkways created by other methods. This helps to keep people out of unwanted areas and ensure that your plants and trees should not be damaged either intentionally or unintentionally but anyone.

Mulch also helps trees in a variety of ways including retaining moisture and nutrients in the ground which can be accessed by the root system. This layer of protection on the surface underneath a tree and located near the trunk serves to retain water while being breathable and allowing the air to circulate around the base of a tree.

Pest control benefits are also available to individuals who appropriately manage their mulch administration around the bases of their trees. Utilizing a certain material for your mulch can also serve as a deterrent for insects moving into an area, keeping your trees alive and from becoming the harbor of dangerous infestations from pests lurking just outside your home.

Mulch Amounts

The amount of mulch necessary will vary depending on the coverage area needed and amount of plants that will be impacted from the application. Once the area has been surveyed then a better understanding of how much it will take for a specific job can be determined.

For one tree, the mulch around it should typically be anywhere from two to four inches deep with close attention given to how much is being applied. Too much mulch can be detrimental to a tree’s health and must be avoided to ensure the plant is receiving all of the benefits instead of being harmed.

When you do mulch too much the airflow can be restricted in addition to keeping water and other necessary nutrients from reaching the tree. One common mistake is simply applying new mulch over an already mulched area, adding to the depth instead of allowing it to decompose at its own rate and using another application when necessary. 

Mulch Location

Additionally, where the mulch is added can be just as important as putting the mulch down to start. Mulch should not be simply piled around a tree trunk from base out over the ground but should be placed specifically within a certain diameter around each tree.

The mulch should extend from just outside the trunk (preferably about six inches) to the dripline - area of the ground where excess water from the canopy would fall. This area ensures that a majority of the most beneficial root zone is covered and protected. It also helps to ensure that each tree area is receiving the best protection and benefits derived from using mulch on the area. 

By not piling mulch directly onto a tree’s trunk, individuals can avoid inviting pests to enter and cause potential damage to the tree or its root system. Mulch that has been pushed directly onto the trunk can suffocate plant from receiving essential minerals while restricting the airflow capabilities.

While serving as a weed deterrent, appropriately applied mulch also protects a tree’s trunk from receiving damage that may be caused from routine lawn maintenance, including mowing grass and weed trimming. This protective barrier and application a few inches from the base ensures that each of the plants and trees located on a property are given the appropriate amount of care and consideration.

Arbor Garden Tree & Landscaping has been serving the Denver metro area for 23 years. We began in 1994 with one truck and now have a full service arborist business. Our locally owned and operated company is proud to serve Denver metro area residents and business owners including the Denver Country Club, Castle Pines Country Club, city and county governments, various homeowners associations and private homeowners. Our knowledgeable and ISA certified arborists would be more happy to provide you with tree trimming, tree removal, tree planting and landscaping services. When you’re ready to get started give us a call at 303-722-8820 or fill out our contact form today.