What are the benefits of using mulch around my trees?
Both organic and inorganic mulches serve several important functions. Foremost, they define the area around the tree and separate it from the surrounding landscape, such as a lawn. This simplifies tree care and enhances tree growth. Common landscape ailments such as ‘lawn mower blight’ and ‘weed whackeritis’ mysteriously disappear when a 3 to 4 foot area of mulch is spread around the tree. A layer of mulch 3 to 4 inches deep is an effective control of weeds and grass. Mulch also insulates the soil underneath. This is especially important in the warm months to reduce water lost to evaporation. The mulch helps further by preventing erosion and compaction. The splashing that often spreads fungal disease may be controlled by mulch. Furthermore, using organic mulch has long term benefits. Organic materials break down and enrich the soil by adding important nutrients and encouraging soil life, duplicating what mother nature does in the forest by recycling nutrients back into the soil. There
