About two to four inches is enough for most trees. Spread it wide, and keep it a few inches back from the trunk so the bark can stay dry.
Need this done? See tree Mulching in Greenville, SC or call (864) 555-0142.
Those numbers are general advice, not a rule for every species or soil. If a tree is stressed or sick, a local arborist can say more.
Why does mulch help a tree?
Mulch holds moisture in the soil, keeps the roots cooler in summer and slows weeds that compete with the tree for water. It also keeps mowers and string trimmers off the base of the trunk, which is a common way trees get hurt.
A tree growing in a natural woodland gets this from fallen leaves. In a lawn, a ring of mulch does the same job.
How wide should the mulch ring be?
Wider than most people make it. The roots of a tree spread far past the trunk, often as wide as the crown or wider. A ring only two feet across does little. A ring several feet wide, or out to the edge of the drip line where the branches end, helps much more.
For a young tree, start with a circle at least three feet across and widen it as the tree grows. Do not spread mulch so far that it covers the bases of nearby shrubs.
Why should mulch stay off the trunk?
Mulch piled against the trunk holds moisture on the bark. That can rot the bark and invite insects and fungus. It also gives mice and voles a warm place to chew on the trunk.
Pull the mulch back a few inches, so you can see the base of the trunk and where the roots start to flare. The mulch should look like a doughnut, not a volcano.
What is volcano mulching?
Volcano mulching is piling mulch in a tall cone against the trunk, often several feet high. It looks tidy, but it is one of the most common mistakes in yard care. The pile smothers the base of the tree and can cause roots to grow up into the mulch instead of down into the soil, where they belong.
If your tree has a volcano, pull the extra back with a rake or your hands. Do it over time if the pile is deep, and do not dig into the roots as you go.
When should you mulch?
Spring and fall both work. A fresh layer in spring helps the soil hold water through the summer. A layer in fall protects roots from cold and from wide swings in soil temperature. If last year's mulch has matted down, rake it loose before you add more, instead of piling a new layer on top of an old one.
Add a thin layer when the old one thins, not a thick one every year. Too much mulch can keep water and air from reaching the roots.
What kind of mulch is best?
Shredded bark, wood chips and pine straw all work well. Pine straw is common around Greenville because it is easy to find. Avoid fresh chips right against the trunks of small trees, and keep any mulch off the flare at the base. Color does not change what the mulch does for the tree.
If you have chips from tree work, get free wood chips after tree work is a good place to start, though check what kind of tree they came from first.
What about a tree that is already stressed?
Mulch helps a tree that is stressed by drought or a lawn on top of its roots, but it is not a cure for a tree that is sick or dying. A tree with thinning leaves, dead branches or a leaning trunk needs a person to look at it. The tree trimming page lists signs to watch for.
Can a crew mulch around your trees?
Yes. A tree crew can mulch around the trees on your lot, usually as part of a larger job. Price depends on the number of trees and the area covered.
Ready to get your trees mulched?
Call or send the estimate form, and say how many trees you have and how big an area you want covered. We will tell you what the job takes and what goes into the price.
Need help with this?
See our tree Mulching page for how it works and typical prices, or call (864) 555-0142 and tell us what you’re looking at.