Professional Mulching Services in Melbourne
Mulching your trees is an easy and efficient way to supplement your tree with nutrients and protect the tree, roots, and soil around it. There are two types of mulch materials: organic and inorganic. Each of the materials that we suggest for mulching serve different purposes and have different impacts on the soil and plant health. We advise that you do some research regarding which mulch materials would serve your trees best.
Most trees receive mulches made from organic materials best. The following materials are examples of what could comprise your tree mulch: straw, grass clippings, pine needles, peat moss, compost, and wood fibres. Organic mulches will decompose over time, becoming part of the soil. This adds nutrients to the soil (and plant) and strengthens the soil structure. Inorganic mulches, such as landscape fabric and plastic film, primarily aid in water retention and weed control. Some parks also use rubber, brick chips or gravel as a more decorative element around the base of trees.
Adding mulch to the base of your trees atop the soil surface creates a protective covering that reduces evaporation, limits erosion, deters weeding species, and elevates the aesthetic of your landscape. Mulch also helps regulate the temperature of the root zone and creates more aeration and drainage for the soil beneath it.
There are a few suggested guidelines for tree mulching that can help you decide how to go about adding mulch to your property. If added, mulch should stretch around the tree between one to two metres in diameter and sit between five and ten centimetres above the soil line. It should taper out to the ground level at the edge of the ring of mulch. Additionally, you do not want to pile mulch around the trunk of the tree. Instead, pull mulch several centimetres away from the trunk to allow air flow and circulation and avoid moisture damage.
With as many benefits as mulch has, there are ways that it could do damage to the trees it sits around. More than ten centimetres in depth will throw-off the soil-oxygen exchange that needs to take place at the roots. Another issue that can arise with improper mulching is piling mulch up at the tree trunk. If mulch is too high on the trunk and stays moist, it can cause decay and become an entry point for fungal growth or insect infestation. Pulling the mulch a few centimetres away from the trunk is one way to mitigate this issue. Mulch can also impact the pH levels of the soil. You can research more about specific soil pH conditions for your plants as you are looking into mulching materials for your property.
If you’re unsure of what materials to use or how to move forward in tree mulching on your property, reach out to us here at Dynamic Arborist. Our team has served the South Eastern Melbourne area for years, and performed tree mulching across the suburbs that surround Melbourne. We would be thrilled to come alongside you in whatever your next landscaping project is.
