Tree Care: Mulch and Water
MULCH
Mulching, a tree's best friend...or worst enemy. Trees are like people: they need food, water and shelter to survive. Thankfully, mulch can help provide all of these (for trees, of course!).
HOW TO MULCH A TREE
The easiest way to remember how to mulch a tree is to follow the 3-3-3 rule: 3 feet wide, 3 inches deep, and 3 inches away from the trunk.
FOOD
Organic (i.e. made of biodegradable material, not rubber or plastic) mulch is an excellent source of food for a tree’s roots. Over time, mulch will decompose, improve the surrounding soil, and benefit the tree by providing nutrients.
WATER
When applied correctly, mulch can help direct water towards the tree’s root system and will also act as a barrier from evaporation and prevent the roots from drying out.
SHELTER
Mulch is a great security blanket for a tree. A layer of organic mulch will suppress weeds that attempt to grow up close to the tree and compete for nutrients. A ring of mulch around a tree’s trunk will prevent mowers and string trimmers from getting too close and causing damage. Mulch will also – literally – act as a blanket. An extra layer of insulation on top of the root system will help protect the tree from extreme temperatures.
SAY ‘NO’ TO THE VOLCANO!
With mulch, a little goes a long way. Avoid piling a ‘volcano’ of mulch around the base of your tree — this is one of the easiest ways to jeopardize tree health!
Too much mulch will:
- Retain too much water around the trunk, causing disease and decay (and ultimately tree death!)
- Invite damage from insects and rodents
- Smother roots — too much mulch inhibits air flow necessary for growth.
- Cause girdling roots to grow, which essentially ‘choke’ the tree,
- Waste your hard earned dollars! Not only will you use more mulch than needed, but the money invested in your tree will sadly be lost if the tree does not survive.
WATER
The best way to water trees is slowly for a long time, so the roots have time to absorb the moisture from the soil as it soaks down. The roots that absorb the water aren’t deep. They spread out sideways and most are just a foot or so beneath the surface of the soil. On a mature tree, roots extend far in all directions, but it’s sufficient to concentrate on watering the area beneath the branches.
Newly planted trees and young trees haven’t yet grown a large network of roots. That’s why they can’t store much water and need to be watered often. They should be watered near the trunk, where the root ball is.
You can water several ways:
HOSE
One option is to turn the hose to a slow dribble and place it on the ground near the trunk. After half an hour, move it a couple of feet around the trunk. Keep moving the hose from place to place until it has dribbled for an hour, or even two hours for a large tree.
The larger the tree, the more time it will take to give it enough water, and the more you will have to move the hose to get the water to a wide area of the roots.
SOAKER HOSE
Another option is to use a porous soaker hose, which will allow water to slowly ooze out of its entire length. Lay the hose on the soil around the tree. Turn the water on just enough so you see beads of water on the surface of the hose. Let it go for an hour or more.
SPRINKLER
You can use a sprinkler, but turn it down so the water doesn’t splash on the leaves. The tree needs the water in the soil, where its roots are.
BUCKET
If a tree is too far from the hose, you can use a bucket. Pour the water slowly on the area all around the trunk. For a young tree, try to deliver at least 10 gallons every time you water.
Mulch will help hold the moisture in the soil.
Right Tree, Right Place
It’s important to consider location and tree size when planting a tree to avoid interfering with overhead and underground utilities or building structures.
