[CANUFNET] To Mulch or Not To Mulch

[pwynnyczuk at richmondhill.ca]

Hi Terri,
What happens to exposed soil around the base of the tree or anywhere, 
.....erosion, soil compaction...heat build up...are these factors that 
affect recently planted trees survival? 
No mulch, could attract weed seeds, which then germinate and attract 
string trimmers....

A couple of inches helps address the above and allows for the creeping of 
grass to the base of the trees over a few years. 
 This is based on a few years of Blvd tree planting.

Look forward to the continuation of this question.

Regards,
Peter Wynnyczuk

Urban Forestry Supervisor
Town of Richmond Hill
Community Services Department
Telephone:  905 780-2930
Fax:  905 780-2928
Internet: pwynnyczuk at richmondhill.ca




From:   terri smith <janedatsun at hotmail.com>
To:     Canufnet Canufnet <canufnet at list.web.net>
Date:   03/30/2011 02:57 PM
Subject:        [CANUFNET] To Mulch or Not To Mulch
Sent by:        canufnet-bounces at list.web.net



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.
 
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?
 
Terri Smith
Urban Forestry
City of Saskatoon
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