Mulching is one of the best things you can do for your plants, trees and landscaping, and it’s one of the easiest gardening jobs to tackle.
However, many homeowners in Ottawa are yet not aware of its benefits.
When you add mulch to your trees or garden, you are promoting and protecting their health, along with making your landscape more attractive. Read on to learn how to take your property to the next level!
Tree Care: Mulching Around Trees
Healthy, beautiful trees can increase the value of your property considerably.
Mulching, says the International Society of Arboriculture, is one of the best maintenance procedures a property owner can do for his or her trees or shrubs.
This procedure mimics the natural environment found in forests in Ottawa, where branches and leaves blanket the ground, nourishing the roots as they decompose.
That being said, you want you make the most of your green space in Ottawa. Mulch can be both decorative and functional. Organic chips, spread on the soil surface, can protect the roots from extreme temperatures, droughts and weed growth.
In addition, they provide your trees with nutrients as they decompose.
Choosing the Right Mulch for Trees & Landscaping
First off, you want to choose the right supplement.
Tree care professionals prefer organic mulch, or in other words, pine needles, cocoa hulls, wood bark, straw, wood chips, chopped leaves, compost or grass clipping.
When broken down, mulch adds nutrients to the soil below. However, you must keep in mind that organic varieties do not protect trees from pests.
Every type of organic mulch has cons and pros.
Bark nuggets, for example, are widely available, but can float away in heavy rain. Shredded wood, for instance, is cheap and easy to find, but it does not add as many nutrients as other mulches.
Finally, cocoa hulls have a recognizable aroma, but are toxic to dogs. For optimal results, get hold of a tree care professional, who will help you determine the best supplement for your beloved trees.
How to Apply Mulch
In winter, a good layer of mulch will help regulate the soil temperature.
This won’t prevent the ground from freezing, but it will make the process more gradual.
Be sure to purchase enough mulch to cover the desired area. Applying too much will overwhelm your tree, so do not administer more than 4 inches of this organic supplement.
Remember to replace mulch every year, as it will lose its nutrients over time. Before adding new layers, be sure to remove the old ones.
If you are unsure about the process, do not hesitate to contact Croft Tree Experts. We are experienced, trusted Ottawa tree care professionals.
Our arborist chips are the by-product of tree work and are ideal for your property. They also compact less than store-purchased ones. As a result, you won’t end up with an impenetrable mat of mulch that will prevent the moisture from reaching the roots of your trees.