I wouldn't think so, beyond the normal problems with spreading green mulch (which is a bad idea because of N drawdown, potential pathogens, and tannin buildup). You should leave it in a pile to rot down to a nice brown earthy smelling mix without any obvious fungi (that usually means over winter).

Thanks Nathan
It's already really brown and earthy to look at but it smells very strongly.

Well I would give it a try. I always pile it on deep so that the worms and whatnot can really go to town.

I put some tea tree mulch under a hedge of callistemons in July last year. The mulch is still there and the callistemons are twice the size and about to flower. I did see an add for a darker colour tea tree mulch which was supposed to be available at Bunnings, but when I rang up about it Bunnings had never heard of it. I rang the supplier in Qld, who promised to ring me back but never did. It's a pity because the ordinary tea tree mulch is a light brown, and a darker colour would show off the plants much better.

That sounds impressive Wattleblossum. The bales I bought were very dark brown, and I'm getting to love the smell, it's so 'bushy'. I bought mine in Bunnings recently, it was from a supplier in NSW, let me know if you want the company name.
Maybe it doesn't last as long as the light brown mulch, but anyway, I'm going to get some more, now I've heard about your callistemon hedge. (of course there could me many other reasons for their flourish). Added bonus, the dark brown looks quite beautiful against the plants' foliage.
cheers
Andrea

Dark stains are rarely very fast (with the amusing exception of pitch). I doubt it would be worth extra money. The only dark mulch worth buying is pulverized aa lava, and we don't get that here :-(

Yes Andrea, I would like the name of the supplier so I can ring Bunnings in Penriff to make sure they have it in stock before I make the trip down the hill.
I've tried many different mulches over the years on my exotic garden and find they all seem to fade to a certain extent, but by the time this happens, they usually need topping up again.
I think the reason the tea tree mulch I put down last year is still there is because I put a layer of newspaper underneath it, (easy to do with a hedge as it's in a straight line), so the mulch has been quite a while coming into contact with the soil.

Wattleblossum
The mulch comes from a supplier called Gollandra. It is in yellow bags with red and green writing on the front. I think it says 'Tea Tree Master'. They have a website. After looking at the mulch again, I think it may be dyed after all. The colour is uniform, but I can't be sure.

I just rang Gollandra. They told me their tea tree mulch is not dyed but bagged when damp, which they say, makes it a darker colour than others. They also said it will fade when it dries out, so please Andrea, do let us know what happens.
It does sound like the sort of mulch you could spread around when you want your garden to look really good, maybe before an open garden day or similar. Not that I've yet reached that level of ego and insanity, but give me time.

Nitrogen draw down as a result of spreading green mulch only occurs if you mix it through the soil and then plant into it. Spreading it over the soil surface is unlikely to cause any problems.

As for tanins and oils causing problems I am very sceptical of this Don Burke'ism. I have seen plenty of water repellent soil that does not involve any mulch what so ever.
Besides most of the oils are volatile and would evapourate quickly from the leaves during the heat of summer. Why else can you smell the tea tree mulch?

greg, that is my feeling to (regarding hydrophobic soils and mulch), I suspect it depends on the soil. I've had success with tip mulch over clay and over sandy loam.

Hi,

I use Tea tree mulch all the time, as were I live the soil is sandy and we get sand flies & midgies. The tea tree mulch helps to repel both these biting insects.

I use Rocky Point Mulching's tea tree mulch that comes in a large blue bag. It coves a huge area.

Don't use it in veggie gardens though. Sugar Cane Mulch is much better for that.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rocky Point Mulching