| | | | | needs. Often people believe that once a tree is |
| Mulching Improves Tree Health | | | | established it doesn't require additional irrigation |
| Applying mulch around your trees is a simple and | | | | besides rainfall. However, in dry climates, most |
| cost-effective way to promote better tree health. | | | | tree species do require additional water for |
| During rainy periods, mulch promotes better | | | | optimal growth. Water is the single most |
| saturation of rain to the roots of the tree. Mulch | | | | important factor in the growth rate of trees. |
| breaks up rain droplets reducing runoff and | | | | Another method of reducing irrigation |
| erosion. | | | | requirements is to install a soaker-hose on the |
| Another important feature of mulch is its ability to | | | | ground around the tree, prior to mulch installation. |
| reduce temperature extremes; this is important in | | | | By doing this the water stays beneath the mulch |
| climates with hot dry summers, to reduce tree | | | | so you don't have to moisten everything from |
| stress. Trees that are temperature or water | | | | the surface. |
| stressed are more susceptible to insect and | | | | Arbor mulch is the most beneficial type of mulch |
| disease problems. In cold climates mulch also | | | | that can be applied beneath trees. Arbor mulch is |
| provides additional protection to the root zone of | | | | generated from the chipping of tree branches and |
| trees. | | | | usually contains leaves, bark, and several sizes of |
| Mulch is also important in retaining moisture levels | | | | chipped wood material. This mixture provides |
| in the soil. Water and nutrients are taken up | | | | better insulation and more organic material to the |
| through fine absorbing roots. Without adequate | | | | soil as it breaks down. Chipped wood pallets or |
| moisture these absorbing roots will stop growing | | | | bark nuggets provide only limited insulation, less |
| and start to decline during drought periods. Mulch | | | | moisture retention, and less nutrients to the root |
| reduces the effects of dry periods by keeping | | | | zone. |
| these absorbing roots moist. | | | | When applying mulch place the material four |
| Mulch decomposes over time and adds organic | | | | inches deep out to the drip line of the tree. No |
| matter into the soil. This helps reduce compaction | | | | mulch should be placed against the trunk of the |
| and allows for better root growth. Mulch also | | | | tree as this increases potential root fungus at the |
| provides humic acid and micro-nutrients to the soil | | | | root crown. Mulch should begin 2 feet away from |
| which enhance the growth of absorbing roots. | | | | the trunk. For trees that are columnar in form |
| Water conservation is another benefit of mulching. | | | | apply mulch twice the width of the drip line. The |
| Mulch helps retain moisture levels in the soil, it | | | | drip line is the perimeter of the foliage that drips |
| reduces the frequency of supplemental irrigation | | | | down. |