While spring and summer have traditionally been the busy times of the year for spreading mulch around trees, shrubs and other perennial plants, more homeowners and landscapers are spreading mulch in the fall before harsh winter weather arrives. An extended period of mild fall weather and ample supplies of shredded hardwood mulch at area retailers are likely driving this increase.
While a fall application of mulch can be beneficial to plants, we have seen a growing trend of piling it much deeper than necessary, a practice that is extremely harmful to trees, shrubs and even herbaceous perennials. Mulch should never be deeper than two to four inches, regardless of the type of plants that are being mulched, or the type of mulch being applied. Too often we see mulch “volcanoes” where mulch is piled in cones around trees to a depth of more than 18 inches. Applying excess mulch is also a waste of money.
Benefits of mulch
Applying mulch around trees, shrubs and other perennial plants provides many benefits including weed suppression, moderation of soil temperatures, moisture retention and the addition of organic matter and soil nutrients as organic mulches such as shredded hardwood decompose over time. Mulches can also enhance landscape aesthetics when used correctly.
Too much of a good thing
The practice of volcano mulching causes long-term harm to trees and other plants in several different ways:
Best management practices for fall mulch applications
While a fall application of mulch provides many benefits, over-application of mulch can be extremely harmful to trees, shrubs and other plants. Follow these best management practices when applying any type of mulch in fall:
If you hire a lawn care company or landscaper to apply mulch for you, be sure to share these best management practices with these individuals. While we try to educate the green industry about these best management practices, this information doesn’t always filter out to all employees.
Mike Hogan is an Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and associate professor with Ohio State University Extension. hogan.1@osu.edu
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Avoid ‘volcano mulching’ your trees, shrubs to keep them healthy
Reporting by Mike Hogan / The Columbus Dispatch
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