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Tree Talk - Metropolitan Forestry Services

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April 26, 2016

Top 10 Reasons to Mulch

Spring brings flowers, budding leaves, swift storms – and the smell of fresh mulch. We spread a soft blanket of rich-colored chips around street trees and landscape features. As a routine practice, we may simply focus on the fresh appearance and sometimes forget the essential benefits mulch provides for our plants.

Top 10 Reasons to Mulch

  1. Ground insulation. Mulching keeps plant roots cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
  2. Soil moisture retention. Watering needs may decrease during hotter dryer summer months.
  3. Aesthetics. Fresh mulch in the landscape brings cohesion to your planting beds. A good edge between the mulch and grass adds a sharp crisp edge and makes both look better.  Shapes such as squares and circles or sweeping edges further define your garden style.
  4. Weed suppression. Awesome.
  5. Nutrient supplementation. Decomposing mulch adds nutrients to the soil which plants use to photosynthesize and maintain good color and flowers.
  6. Root invigoration. Research shows plants with mulching develop finer root hairs and thus can absorb more water and nutrients. As a result, the tree is better equipped to defend against pests and diseases and be more resilient to other environmental stressors.
  7. Concealment of unsightly features. Mulch covers up undesirable landscape features such as landscape lighting wires, sprinkler heads, shrub trimmings, etc. keeping the landscape nice and neat.
  8. Erosion prevention.  Rain drops can dislodge and transport soil particles.  Mulching on top of soil absorbs the rain drop velocity and reduces runoff.
  9. Separation between tree trunks and grass. Lawnmowers and string trimmers that get too close can wound the base of the tree, leaving an opening for insects and fungus to enter.
  10. Prevention and relief of soil compaction. It reduces foot traffic. Also, it provides an ideal environment for insects and microorganisms whose tunneling and feeding creates more pore space – and thus more oxygen – in the soil.

There are several types of mulch for different applications. Here’s a list so you can make the right choice for your gardening needs.

Give us a call for any of your planting, bed maintenance, and mulching needs.

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