Mulching is one of the most valuable annual maintenance things a homeowner can do for a mature tree...
Standing in a garden center I noticed an array of mulching items ranging in price from $2 to $5 a bag. I needed enough mulch to cover the area around a stately dogwood in our back yard. When I compared the price of mulch to what it would cost me if the tree needed to be removed and replaced due to suffering irreversible distress, the decision was easy. Mulching is one of the most valuable annual maintenance things a homeowner can do for a mature tree.
Arborists recommend mulching from the trunk to the drip line. The drip line is the point directly under the tree’s outermost branches. It is called the drip line because rainfall tends to drip at this point from the branch tips. Apply 2 to 4 inches of mulch but take care not to pile it up next to the trunk. The end result should resemble more of a donut of mulch around the tree rather than a volcano.
With so many mulch materials available, which is the right one? The best and most economical is pine straw. Wood chips and shredded hardwood bark (other than cypress) are also good options. Inorganic materials such as pulverized stone and rubber-based mulches are good for high traffic areas but are not recommended for mulching around trees.
Mulching is an inexpensive preventative measure that will promote healthy trees without harming your wallet. Additional tips for protecting mature trees are available on the Tree Commission’s page on the city’s website: alpharetta.ga.us.