by Royce Radcliffe

Created on: April 06, 2007   Last Updated: April 26, 2007

There is nothing trees love more than mulch. Mulch around the base of the tree has so many benefits that it is by now customary for people to go through the process without even giving much thought to the why of it all. But the reasons are numerous and upon inspection quite compelling.

The practical side of mulch is that it prevents weed growth and allows for a better retention of moisture. This comes in handy if your soil is light and does not have great water holding capacity. In drought periods mulch is a necessity. Mulch also helps reduce water runoff to insure maximization of nature's feeding time.

One thing most people do not know is that there lawn can hurt their tree! The lawn grass competes with the tree for the same nutrients and thus depletes it of some of its vitality. By setting up this barrier you avoid the problem entirely.

On the level of aesthetics, mulch looks good, giving the tree a nice base and making it stand out a bit more. And the protective circle around it also allows for you to easily trim your lawn without fear of running into and damaging your tree.

You need to apply your mulch in a spread around the tree that is about two inches deep. Make sure to leave space between it and the trunk of your tree, and that there are no weeds in the soil underneath it.

Mulch has been a traditional addition for tree lovers for decades now. Realizing why is important in knowing more about the care and maintenance of a healthy tree, and now you do, so buy some mulch and have the best lawn on the block!

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