Mulch to use around trees

KubotaSteve · Apr 7, 2004

I purchased 50 of the Colorado Blue Spruce from Bailey's. I planted 45 of them outside and have the remaining 5 growing inside in pots. I planted them a little early and have been fortunate the frost has not killed them. Anyway my question is what type of mulch to use on these trees. I normally use hardwood mulch but I was thinking about using pine mulch since it seems to do better at keeping the grass away. Any opinions? I'm not looking to spend a fortune but if I don't put something around them, I'm afraid they will get mowed off or overtaken by grass or weeds as the trees are not that large.
I just wanted to make sure that the pine mulch would not kill the trees as I know pine mulch will kill certain plants and flowers. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Gatorboy · Apr 7, 2004

How about spraying Round-Up around each one? That way the tree is not competing with the grass for water and you can see them when mowing. It would sure be alot easier than putting mulch down.

BillG_in_TX · Apr 7, 2004

From our local organic guru - Howard Garrett:

"The best mulch in the world is shredded native tree trimmings from local trees. Shredded hardwood bark is the second best mulch, partially completed compost is next. Pine bark is the worst choice. It breaks down into a mucky material, if it stays in place - a rarity, it usually washes and blows out."

For more of his advice, see this page.

fivestring · Apr 7, 2004

Like Gatorboy said, try Roundup.
I use Reward more than Roundup, though.
It works in 1-2 days, Roundup usually takes a week.
Just be careful with either one.... they kill what they touch.

GregJ · Apr 7, 2004

Steve,
Any hardwood mulch will do your tree good. One thing that I have done and has worked well is to spread a layer of newspaper around the tree and then cover it with at least 4 inches of mulch. The newspaper will compost quickly and kill all the weeds underneath. The mulch then composts and will feed the soil underneath. Be sure not to lay the mulch too thick right on the tree as it can rob it of nitrogen during the composting process. I usually just pull it back from the plant a bit.

Hope this helps,
Greg

RobertN · Apr 7, 2004

The mulch will help retain moisture, and can also provide some shelter of the root stock from extreme heat or cold.

thcri · Apr 7, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( How about spraying Round-Up around each one? That way the tree is not competing with the grass for water and you can see them when mowing. It would sure be alot easier than putting mulch down. )</font>

I agree to some extent. Spraying the round up is good but I still would put the mulch down. Mulch will hold the moisture in for the trees. We just had a bunch of pines transplanted in the the guy that sold them to us made us guarantee to put mulch down. So we did, mulch is cheap.

murph

KubotaSteve · Apr 7, 2004

Thanks fellas, I'll go with my original thought and stick with the hardwood mulch as that seems to be the consensus here. The newspaper is a good idea. How thick do you put the newspaper down? Would 3 or 4 sheets thick be too much?

GregJ · Apr 8, 2004

Steve,
I have just used a single layer. That seems to be all it takes and it rots within a few months.

Greg

DocHeb · Apr 8, 2004

I've used 3 sheets in the past. It helps to wet it after you lay it out (and before the mulch) so it tends to "stick" and not blow around. Add some Preen Weed Preventative to the top of the mulch and you'll really stop the weeds.