<font size=2 face="sans-serif">As foresters and arborists , I can't believe
that we have to defend our use of mulch , it's basic science . I once read
a saying by George Bernard Shaw - " The greatest problem in communication
is the illusion that it has been accomplished ." </font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif"><br>
David W Evans<br>
Senior Municipal Arborist<br>
City of St. John's , Public Works & Parks<br>
Parks Services Division<br>
(709) 576-8468</font>
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<br>
<br>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">From:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">"Stephen Smith"
<ufora@idirect.com></font>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">To:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">"Canadian Urban
Forest Network" <canufnet@list.web.net></font>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">Date:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">2011/03/31 12:51 PM</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">Subject:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Re: [CANUFNET]
To Mulch or Not To Mulch</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">Sent by:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">canufnet-bounces@list.web.net</font>
<br>
<hr noshade>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=3 face="Calibri">We mulch heavily when we can. It
keeps the weeds down and moisture in. The only drawback is on wet
sites that become wetter with a blanket on them. Have a look at the
attached doc from one of our projects. The goal was to improve the
soil by mulching heavily and letting it rot in an old field with hard clay
soil. All we did was put mulch down and wait 2 years.</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Calibri"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Calibri">Stephen Smith</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Calibri">Urban Forest Associates Inc.</font>
<br><a href=http://www.ufora.ca/><font size=3 color=blue face="Calibri"><u>www.ufora.ca</u></font></a>
<br><font size=2 face="Calibri"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Calibri"><b>From:</b> </font><a href=mailto:pwassenaer1022@rogers.com><font size=2 color=blue face="Calibri"><u>Philip
van Wassenaer</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Calibri"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Calibri"><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 31, 2011 9:47
AM</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Calibri"><b>To:</b> </font><a href=mailto:canufnet@list.web.net><font size=2 color=blue face="Calibri"><u>'Canadian
Urban Forest Network'</u></font></a><font size=2 face="Calibri"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Calibri"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [CANUFNET] To Mulch
or Not To Mulch</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Calibri"> </font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">I agree that the organics
are very important as well protecting the fine new roots we need to encourage.</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Mulch is good. Bad mulching
practices are bad!</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri"><b>Philip van Wassenaer,
B.SC., MFC</b></font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">1248 Minnewaska Trail</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Mississauga, Ontario</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Canada, L5G 3S5</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Tel: (905) 274-1022</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Cell: (647) 221 3046</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Fax: (905) 274 2170</font>
<br><img src=cid:_2_073706F40739CE4C0058CE08A3257864 alt="UFI logo extra space.JPG">
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><a href=http://www.urbanforestinnovations.com/><font size=2 color=blue face="Calibri"><u>www.urbanforestinnovations.com</u></font></a>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Tahoma"><b>From:</b> canufnet-bounces@list.web.net
[</font><a href="mailto:canufnet-bounces@list.web.net"><font size=2 face="Tahoma">mailto:canufnet-bounces@list.web.net</font></a><font size=2 face="Tahoma">]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Jack Radecki<b><br>
Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 30, 2011 5:29 PM<b><br>
To:</b> 'Canadian Urban Forest Network'<b><br>
Subject:</b> Re: [CANUFNET] To Mulch or Not To Mulch</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">These new findings contradict
my 35 years of experience in the field and monitoring tree growth throughout.
Perhaps they are talking about mulch volcanoes or excess mulch over
the root zone. I have only seen the benefits and the proof is the resuts
that I have seen over many years. </font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Ask yourself the questions
about how organic matter is replenished in a forest? Trees "feed"
themselves from their own litter. Without the mulch you put the tree into
an inorganic, inert world and prone to the many problems that we are aware
of, drought obviously is the main killer of young trees.</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Jack Radecki Registered Consulting
Arborist 342</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Tahoma"><b>From:</b> canufnet-bounces@list.web.net
[</font><a href="mailto:canufnet-bounces@list.web.net"><font size=2 face="Tahoma">mailto:canufnet-bounces@list.web.net</font></a><font size=2 face="Tahoma">]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>terri smith<b><br>
Sent:</b> March-30-11 12:49 PM<b><br>
To:</b> Canufnet Canufnet<b><br>
Subject:</b> [CANUFNET] To Mulch or Not To Mulch</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Calibri">I would like to know if there are any municipalities
that have stopped applying mulch on newly planted boulevard trees. Current
research indicates that mulch should not be placed over the root ball because
it causes roots to grow up into the mulch area, it also causes roots to
remain within the root ball area instead of growing out laterally, and
it actually prevents the water from penetrating deep into the soil. Dr.
Ed Gilman and Dr. Hannah Mathers both agree that no more than 2 – 2.5
inches of mulch should be applied outside of the root ball area (if mulch
is still going to be applied) and both are in agreement that mulch provides
no benefit to the tree. At 2 inches of mulch there is little to no
weed suppression.</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Calibri">These new findings contradict our current
mulching practices and have created much debate within our department.
I would like to hear from other municipalities that have either discontinued
mulching or have never mulched their blvd trees. Is there a need
to increase the amount or frequency of watering?</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Calibri">Terri Smith</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Calibri">Urban Forestry</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Calibri">City of Saskatoon[attachment "Soil
comparisons at Taylor Creek Park.doc" deleted by Dave Evans/CSJ] </font>
<br>