[CANUFNET] String Trimmer Damages

[Horvath, Gaspar]

Hi Dwayne,

Here in Windsor we have been mulching around newly planted and smaller trees for more than 5 years, specifically in response to the damages we see from both mowers and trimmers.

Every spring we run a multi -day training program for new student employees who will be working in the parks. Working around trees with trimmers and mowers is a topic we do cover. Invariably, every year we see mower and trimmer operators trying to get every last blade of grass right up against the trees!

We plant approximately 2,500 caliper trees per year. A rodent guard is placed on each tree at time of planting along with ½ a yard woodchip mulch in a proper ring. Our planting contractors mulch the newly planted trees at time of planting.
For most years we have had a team of 4 student employees spending much of the summer season mulching smaller (<15cm) park trees.

In the early years we bought pre-bagged cypress mulch at a cost of more than $25,000 / year. In recent years we have shifted the mulching program to use natural wood chip mulch produced by our own urban forestry programs that has been aged (stored) a season or more.

Along with the rodent guards and mulch, we also place a waterbag on each newly planted trees for a period of 2 years. For our street trees have started a new program recently where we renew the mulch ring  around trees when we remove our watering bags. If homeowners have undertaken their own landscaping around the trees after planting, we defer the renewed mulch.

Overall, we have seen a significant reduction in mower/trimmer damages when we can maintain the mulch cover.

Regards

Gaspar


Gaspar Horvath
ISA Certified Aborist, Municiapl Specialist
Windsor, Ontario
ghorvath at citywindsor.ca<mailto:ghorvath at citywindsor.ca>
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