Have you ever looked at a beautifully landscaped yard and wondered, “How do they get their trees to look so healthy and vibrant?” The secret is probably mulch. This layer of material, often organic, covers the soil surrounding plants.
As the go-to tree trimming company in Coral Gables, we at Nature’s Dream Landscape & Tree Service know how to mulch around trees and keep them looking their best year-round. Read on and see how this practice can help your landscaping game.
Why Mulching Around Trees Properly Makes a Big Difference
Mulching is like giving your trees a little slice of their natural habitat. In forests, the ground usually has a cover of decaying leaves, twigs, and other organic matter.
This natural layer does wonders as it retains soil moisture, hinders weed growth, maintains a cooler soil temperature, and gradually breaks down to enrich the soil. It forms a self-sustaining cycle that supports healthy arboreal growth.
Mulch application for tree care also creates a manicured look that enhances the visual appeal of your property. Who says you can’t merge aesthetics with functionality?
How To Apply Mulch Around Trees
Do you want to know how to mulch around trees? Familiarize yourself with the best mulching practices for trees and enjoy the beautiful, flourishing landscape that follows:
Use Quality Products
We typically recommend using organic materials like pine bark, mixed hardwood, or eucalyptus mulch. These last a long time, so you don’t have to replace them too often. They also break down over time and release valuable nutrients back into the ground.
Try not to use cypress-based products because they can harm the environment by contributing to the depletion of cypress forests.
More Doesn’t Mean Better
All the tree mulching techniques you encounter will always warn against one thing: mulch volcanoes. Newbie gardeners might assume that piling up as much product around the base of a tree helps, but it’s quite the opposite.
The thick layer can suffocate the tree’s roots, hinder water and air circulation, and even invite pests and diseases. You should have a two- to three-inch layer of mulch, but no more than that. Leave some space between the mulch and the tree trunk, too, to prevent damage to the trunk.
Spread It Around
Ideally, you want to extend the mulch layer out to the tree’s drip line—the surface directly below the canopy’s outer circumference. If you don’t like the look of a wide mulch ring, you can keep it more contained. The more area you cover, though, the more rewards your tree will reap.
Consult a Local Arborist in Coral Gables
Do you need more insight on how to mulch around trees? Nature’s Dream Landscape & Tree Service has you covered. Our friendly crew can offer mulching tips for tree health or do the heavy lifting for you.
Call 305-874-7374 or learn about using gravel as mulch. This low-maintenance option can add a sleek, modern look to any outdoor space.
