Trees mulching

Today I heard the magpies singing their mating song, heralding the start of spring. Now is the time to start thinking about our gardens, especially our trees and how they are growing. Most people consider fertilising their plants and shrubs, some people even consider fertilizing our trees. However, many places are still having cold mornings and nights, with the days not yet warm, so this could be a bit premature. We should wait till we get some warm days and hopefully a bit of spring rain. Now is the time to consider mulching our gardens. Around our trees is a guide, as it’s good to mulch to the edge of the canopy (drip line). Mulch should be 50mm to 75mm in depth, deep enough restrict weeds growing, but still allowing the air to penetrate into the soil and roots, which the trees need to live. Recently there has been much research into the benefits of mulch. It is one of the simplest systems of promoting tree vitality and managing soil borne diseases. Users of mulch need to avoid chips with fabric, grass, using matting, fine woods, and diseased chips (Verticillium, Armillaria). I recommend only buying chips from certified sellers. The discovery that mulches are useful in suppressing specific soil borne diseases was made about 40 years ago. Many ornamental trees produce roots in mulch layers because the interface of mulch and soil is the zone where diseases are suppressed. It is also an area of high biological activity, increased diversity of fungal organisms, and increased enzyme activity. In addition trees contain a range of medicinal chemicals and compounds that leach into the soil when mulched. Many of these chemicals have been shown to suppress soil borne diseases. Research conducted recently has proven that using mulch from a specific tree can be very beneficial. For example, mulch from a willow tree can be effective in controlling Phytophthora root rot. In Australia, it is very hard and expensive to get mulch from a single tree species from outside Australia (Exotic trees) but 1 of the best type of mulch is from Eucalyptus species. Our very own gum trees. One caution when using mulch; it has to be seasoned if used when still fresh. It can burn and damage trees and should never be placed onto the trunk. But it’s okay when a gap of approximately 50mm is left around the trunk. If you have a tree under stress best contact Fred Janes at Angophora Consulting Arborist is a level 5 arborist (AQF level 5) as soon as possible the longer you wait the worst the tree will be.