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I used to think a 2-inch mulch ring was fine for new trees, but I was wrong.
For years, I'd just pile it up close to the trunk on every job in my town. After losing three young maples to girdling roots in one season, I switched to a wide, shallow 'donut' shape that keeps the root flare exposed. How many of you still see that volcano mulch mess from other crews?
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anna_hill5mo ago
Totally, the moisture thing is a big deal. But honestly, the girdling roots are the real long-term killer, that's what actually takes the tree down years later.
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the_robert2mo ago
Mulch volcanoes kill more trees than people realize. Saw a maple last week with bark completely rotted away under a mulch mountain the homeowner swore was helping. The roots had started circling up into the mulch instead of growing down. That tree is gone in five years, easy. A two second rake fix would have saved it.
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wesley_hart5mo ago
Yeah, the donut shape is key. I still see the volcano mulch all the time, especially at new housing developments. They just dump a mountain of it right against the trunk. It's not just about girdling roots, either. That constant moisture against the bark is an open invite for rot and insects. It's a simple fix that makes a huge difference.
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