Should You Mulch Around Trees?

At Pezza Landscape, we are always looking to use our blogs to educate readers on ways they can elevate their property. Anything that could possibly get a leg up on the competition, we will know about. This is why we so often talk about landscaping materials that are beneficial to the health of your landscape, as these small investments can have a big impact. One of those landscaping materials that is the most common is mulch. It comes in many forms, both organic and inorganic. Mulch is also found in nearly every plant bed across every landscape in the area. This is for good reason and leads us to a commonly asked question. Everyone knows that mulch should be placed in plant beds, but what about around trees?

What Constitutes Mulch?

When people talk about mulch, they are usually referring to the wood chips that are found in so many plant beds. However, the category of mulch is rather large. Included in the category of mulch are both organic and inorganic options. Within these categories are many small materials that are used to the same end, as a cover for plant beds. Organic options include the staples like bark, wood chips, and even pine straw. Inorganic options include decorative rock, rubber mulch, and landscape fabric. 

What are the Benefits of Mulch?

With all of these mulch, options come generally similar benefits. Whether mulch is organic or inorganic, its simple existence in a plant bed will prevent the spread of weeds, as well as soil erosion. This will be more or less depending on the type of chunkier mulch like decorative rock or wood chips being more effective. Additionally, mulch will insulate the soil from extreme temperatures, keeping cold out in the winter, and heat out in the summer. This same insulation will also result in greater moisture retention for the soil, which will better feed your plant material. Last but not least, the one advantage of organic mulch is that as it decomposes it will leave nutrients behind that your plants can use. When it comes to aesthetics all mulch will look good, and it is up to personal preferences.

Does the Same Apply to Trees?

Finally addressing the question that is the subject of the blog, people want to know if mulch offers all the same benefits as trees. In terms of installation, mulch is spread out around the base of a tree the same way it is in a plant bed. Because this is usually done in combination with some type of ring edging to keep it in place, the first benefit is that it looks fantastic. Doing this to each tree will provide uniformity to the property. When it comes to health-related benefits, the answer is yes, it will do much of the same. Mulch will insulate the roots of the tree, and prevent weeds from taking over. There will not be soil to erode, and the decomposition will still result in nutrients left behind for your tree to use.

Pezza Landscape, Inc. is a full-service landscaping company proudly serving the Chicagoland area and its surrounding suburbs. Give us a call at (630) 393-7373 or visit our website to get in touch.