Fall is a good time to plant trees, and mulch helps new trees get established. Here are the main benefits of mulch for your trees, especially newly planted ones.
To read our article on tree planting, see our new tree planting guide.
General Mulch Benefits:
Mulch offers several benefits, whatever type of wood it is made from:
1. Soil Insulation
Having an even layer of mulch around your trees will insulate the soils from heat and cold. This helps to protect roots in the event of a cold snap in winter and a heatwave in the summer.
2. Water Retention
Through insulation, as mentioned above, the mulch prevents the soil from heating up. This allows the soil to retain more water and this means more water for your tree!
3. Weed Prevention
Through blocking easy access to soils from outside seed sources, the mulch helps to prevent the easy establishment of weeds near your trees. This means that the roots of your tree don’t have to compete with the roots of weeds and more moisture and nutrients is available to your tree!
4. Increased Nutrients
At Arbutus we always recommend organic mulch partially because it is easier and cheaper to install for our clients, but additionally has the benefits of adding nutrients to the soil over time. As the mulch decays, this will add nutrients to the soil that were not there previously, increasing the health of your tree. The decay also encourages the development of beneficial soil organisms which aid in maintaining high soil quality. These beneficial organisms increase nutrient holding capacity, soil drainage, and soil structure.
5. Aesthetics
Adding mulch to your garden or around your trees gives your property a clean and well-maintained appearance while requiring very little actual maintenance. Here are some examples of great looking mulch!
In the end there are many reasons that you should install mulch around your tree. Having an expert install the mulch is also beneficial, as your tree won’t be suffocated with mulch piled high around the trunk. Additionally, the experts at Arbutus can guide you on which type of mulch will suit your tree’s needs best.
As a general guide, we spread mulch about 2 to 3 inches deep, in a ring that stays clear of the trunk and root flare. For more on depth and placement, see Mulching 101.
