The Silent Killer in Your Garden: How a Common Practice is Choking Our Trees

Our majestic trees stand as silent sentinels, vital to our environment and the beauty of our landscapes. Yet, a widespread, seemingly innocuous gardening practice is secretly sabotaging their health, slowly but surely choking the life out of them. A horticulture expert has labeled it a 'landscaping epidemic,' and it's time we shed light on this destructive trend: 'volcano mulching.'

Dr.

Peter Cowles, a renowned horticulture expert with the Davey Tree Expert Company, is sounding the alarm against the all-too-common sight of mulch piled high against tree trunks, resembling a miniature volcano. While many homeowners and even professional landscapers believe they are doing their trees a favor, this practice is, in fact, an insidious killer, robbing trees of their vitality and setting them on a path to premature decline.

The root of the problem lies in a misunderstanding of how mulch works and what trees truly need.

People often apply mulch in excessive amounts, pushing it directly against the trunk, sometimes for aesthetic reasons or simply believing that 'more is better.' However, this creates a moist, anaerobic environment around the tree's delicate bark, a critical area where the trunk meets the soil.

So, what exactly happens inside these mulch volcanoes? Firstly, the constantly wet bark begins to rot, making the tree vulnerable to diseases and insect infestations.

This is particularly problematic because bark is designed to protect the tree's internal systems, not to be perpetually damp. Secondly, the thick layer of mulch encourages roots to grow upwards into the mulch itself, rather than downwards into the soil where they can establish strong anchors and access deeper nutrients and water.

These shallow roots are highly susceptible to drying out and can even girdle the main trunk or other roots, effectively strangling the tree over time.

Furthermore, the dense mulch pile restricts vital oxygen flow to the tree's root collar – the crucial transition zone between the trunk and the root system.

Trees, like all living organisms, need oxygen, and depriving their roots of it is a sure path to stress and decline. Rodents and pests also find these warm, damp mulch piles an inviting habitat, gnawing on the bark and further compromising the tree's structural integrity and health.

The solution, fortunately, is simple and incredibly effective: proper mulching.

Instead of a volcano, imagine a donut. Mulch should be applied in a broad, flat layer, ideally two to four inches deep, extending from a few inches away from the tree trunk out to the tree's drip line (the edge of its canopy). Crucially, there should always be a clear 'mulch-free zone' of several inches directly around the base of the trunk.

This allows the bark to breathe, prevents rot, and ensures roots grow properly into the soil.

When applied correctly, mulch is a tree's best friend. It helps retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering. It moderates soil temperature, keeping roots cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

It suppresses weeds that compete for nutrients and water, and as it slowly decomposes, it enriches the soil with organic matter, providing essential nutrients. It's a natural, sustainable way to boost tree health and vigor.

The message from experts like Dr. Cowles is clear: our trees are under silent siege from a well-intentioned but harmful practice.

By understanding the science behind proper mulching and making a small adjustment to our gardening routines, we can protect these invaluable natural assets. Let's transform our 'volcanoes' into nurturing 'donuts' and ensure our trees thrive for generations to come, standing tall and strong, unchoked by our good intentions.