Wood chip mulch around trees
HU-878541002
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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HU-878541002
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoRelated Discussions
Camphor tree wood chips as mulch, danger?
Comments (1)Well the tree service guy just showed up and said it wasn't a camphor tree after all, it was a carrot wood tree, which from some research is also listed as an invasive tree in Florida. The chips were a little bigger than what I would have wanted but I guess you can't look a gift horse in the mouth. But seeing as we don't have any mangrove swamps in southern California it may not be an invasive tree here. I will be on the outlook for any seeds....See MoreOpinions on best type of tree for wood chip mulch?
Comments (14)I'd be more worried about the source of the tree and why it's being cut down. Info from the Royal Horticultural Society: Can mulches made from diseased wood cause infection in healthy plants? Studies indicate that wood and bark chip mulch made from diseased trees is unlikely to transmit pathogens to the roots of healthy trees, growing under good soil conditions. It is important that such mulches are not worked into the soil, as this will increase the risk. The RHS do, however, recommend that basal parts of trees infected with honey fungus, Phytophthora root rot, or parts of trees infected with stem diseases such as verticillium wilt or coral spot, are not used, to reduce the risk to plants....See MoreWood Chip Mulch and a Wooded Lot
Comments (1)In a forest the litter accumulates on the floor year after year and no one clears it away, although it seldom accumulates to a depth of a foot. I would spread out what you have more evenly, and clear areas around the trees trunks some. Those wood chips might, depending on how dry they get, be a source of fuel if a fire were to move in, but if they are moist it would take more for them to burn. Leaves and pine needles would be of more concern. Wood chips piled up against a tree trunk can hold moisture and allow some insect pests a place to live and work on the tree under the mulch which can then cause the tree to die, eventually. However, I have seen the same thing happen when soil accumulates against a tree trunk....See MoreNewspaper/wood chip mulch?
Comments (4)It's good that you're thinking about this ahead of time rather than doing something and then dealing with the consequences. Multiple layers of newspaper are good, or you can use cardboard. Search 'newspaper mulch' on this forum to read from people who have done it. I've used about 4 layers and it seems to work fine. Yes, clumps of dirt will sprout weeds. Best to have all the soil covered with a reasonable amount of mulch. But weeds will always grow unless you put in cement, and control is a matter of catching them before they go to seed. Keep up with the few that do sprout and you'll be fine. I would not worry about chemicals from the city mulch, but depending on what it is (general yard waste vs. wood chips), it may have more or less invasives, weeds etc. Only way to know is to ask them, look at it, and try it. Newspaper doesn't have much in the way of contaminants nowadays. Paper is paper, and the inks are generally harmless soy based stuff. Newspaper blows only until it's covered with mulch. You want several inches to keep weeds down anyway. Tilling wood chips and what it will do to soil texture depends on your soil texture to begin with. If an area is to be permanently mulched as a perennial bed, I would till in compost before planting and mulching. Then just add more mulch. Wood chips will break down to feed the soil passively over time. Avoid any kind of weed fabric or plastic. Degradable mulch on top will end up sprouting weeds on top of it anyway, and you'll wish it wasn't under there....See Moreken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agoHU-878541002
3 years ago
indianagardengirl
3 years ago
PROYardvaark
3 years ago
PRORevolutionary Gardens
3 years ago
Christopher CNC
3 years ago
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