Mulching Techniques

1. Apply a 10 cm (4") layer of organic mulch such as back mulch or wood chips, around the trees and shrubs.
2. Do not pile mulch around the base of the tree. Over-mulching trees can lead to rot around the base of the trunk. Do not create "volcanoes" around the trees, for this will encourage stem girdling roots which can spell demise for the trees.
3. Keep mulch 5cm (2") away from the trunk.
4. Lawn clippings or leaves are poor mulch materials because they compress and mat together, which restricts air and water movement.
5. Make sure the mulch is pulled away from the bark at soil level. The ring of mulch should extend out to the drip line if possible. Remember to mulch wide, not deep.
6. It is also advised to weed the area before applying mulch. Do not simply sweet your weeds under a rug of mulch.

When should I mulch?
Mulching should not be performed until June when the ground warms up. If you apply mulch in early spring, you are simply trapping the cold temperatures into the ground.

The base of the tree where the roots and trunk meet should be at the surface of the soil and open to air.  The nutrient carrying conduits of the tree are just inside the bark.

Building a mulch volcano over the bark can open the area to insect and disease problems. Mulch piled high against the bark also makes a perfect habitat for rodents that chew on the bark. Once the bark at the base of your tree has been compromised by insects, disease or rodents, your tree will begin to die.