Like the Look of the Mulch Volcano? It’s Killing Your Trees!
Whether you are doing a mulch installation in St Augustine, FL or anywhere else. There’s no denying that mulch is a large part of the landscaping world and that it has many values. Mulch helps keep moisture, regulate soil temp and subdues weeds. However, there are some things you to keep in mind, such as the mulch volcano.
When mulch is haphazardly piled into a thick mound resembling a volcano aka the mulch volcano, it does more harm than good. A mulch volcano will kill trees. When piled too high, mulch causes the existing surface roots to suffocate and die. Then new roots grow into the mulch mound and become exposed as the mulch starts to decay. Which causes the new roots to dry and die. High mounds of mulch can also create constant moisture against the trunk of the tree. This makes the lower tree trunk more prone to insects and diseases. Additionally, this encourages roots to grow around the tree trunk which helps suffocate it.
You May Still Have Time to Save Your Trees
While the dangers of over-mulching are serious, it is easy to avoid. The good news is you can reverse the damage of a mulch volcano as long as you catch it in time. A common mistake people tend to make is allowing mulch to get too high over time. This can occur through routine mulching, you may need to remove some older mulch before applying a fresh layer. Also, knowing the signs of damage can help you reverse the damage. If you see darkened bark near the lower truck, with black spots going up the tree is a good sign of suffocation. Luckily, removing excess mulch from the affected area will give your tree the space it needs to heal. So, remember to always install mulch at a depth of 2 to 4 inches around the tree.
Receive an Estimate for Mulch Installation in St Augustine or St Johns, FL
Clean Cuts of Saint Augustine does install mulch for our residential and commercial clients in St Augustine, FL or St Johns, FL. Learn more information about our mulch installations today. You can also call us at (904) 574-3001.