Got mulch? You can use less water and improve the
health of your trees and plants by using a layer of mulch, three to four inches
deep, around your trees. Instead of having your “yard waste” hauled away, you
can mulch by simply allowing fallen leaves and other plant matter to stay on the
ground.
Here's how to mulch:
1. Make or obtain mulch
To make your own: When you prune trees, you can chip the non-diseased branches into mulch using a chipper or your own pruning tools. Chippers will work on branches up to 3 inches in diameter. You can purchase or rent one from home improvement stores or equipment rental businesses. Or Contact Green Man Tree Services and we can do this for you.
Do not use grass clippings as mulch around plants. They smother the soil and do not allow oxygen to get into the soil. Compost your grass clippings instead.
Under existing trees and shrubs, allow the leaves and branches to fall and stay on the soil. Do not rake them up and throw them away, unless they are diseased.
2. Remove weeds
Remove weeds from around the base of the tree before mulching.
3. Break up the soil
If the soil surface is highly compacted, break up the surface using a metal rake or shovel before mulching.
4. Place the mulch
Place a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the tree. Keep the mulch at least 2 inches away from the base of the tree. If possible, mulch all the way out to the dripline (the dripline is the area that reaches out from the trunk and extends to the end of the branches). Be sure to mulch over the berm if you've created one around your tree.
Additional mulching tips & resources
- Tree pruning and landscape maintenance companies are another good source for mulch. Call Green Man Wood Services in Milwaukee and Waukesha at 414-301-9807.
- Do not buy sawdust or wood shavings for mulch. These won’t allow enough air into the soil.
- Wood or bark chips work best when they are between one and three inches in size. Pieces smaller than that can smother the soil and do not allow enough oxygen to get into the soil. Larger pieces get kicked around or can cause tripping.
Green Man Tree & Landscape Services Serving Waukesha and Surrounding areas 414-301-9807 http://thegreenmancompany.com Waukesha Tree Services, Tree Removal, Mulch, Landscaping and wood products. All trees & wood by-products removed from your property will be reused to make fine furniture, firewood or re-purposed into high quality compost and soil for gardeners.
