How to Properly Mulch Around a Tree | This Old House
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2014
- This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and certified arborist Matt Foti save a tree from mulch suffocation. (See below for tools and a shopping list.)
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Tools list for How to Properly Mulch Around a Tree:
- shovel [amzn.to/313I8sg]
- bypass loppers [amzn.to/2UAtvKE]
- compressed-air excavation tool [amzn.to/2ZPesOp]
- hand pruner [amzn.to/31cGFjm]
Shopping list for How to Properly Mulch Around a Tree:
- bark mulch [amzn.to/30ZZQNj]
- topsoil [amzn.to/2ZNIsKs]
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How to Properly Mulch Around a Tree | This Old House
/ thisoldhouse - Навчання та стиль
I am taking as much information as I can. I am a new homeowner and trying to beautify my front yard and all the way around the house.
Me too
Same lol
Are you trying to impress someone? I rather have decent vs perfection.
My tree has been dying slowly for 2-3 years and I just watched this video. Thanks so much, I immediately dug out a circle around my tree and saw the exact same problems.
I've noticed that many day to day landscapers make tons of mistakes like this. That's why I've decided to do my own landscaping. These videos really help.
Agreed. It is surprising how much of this stuff you see around once you are taught. The worst are the city tree pruners in my area. They come by and just hack off the tops of the trees.
Landscapers are NOT arborists. They know how to make your lawn look nice, but they know squat about planting trees.
@@geniea1 Yup ! Landscapers cause all the problems, and Nurseries start the problems
@@steelonius What city? Oceanside CA? It is a law to NOT top trees in Many citys like SAn Francisco
@@arboristprotrees9766 That sounds like a wonderful law!
I live in Heber City Utah. However, last summer, after my comment here, I did in fact speak with the tree crew working in front of my house and they had certified arborists making cuts. It seems like they did a decent job. I think the standard may be changing here, but there are plenty of topped trees to be seen.
I did not know this! Thank you for sharing. Now to go out and remove my mulch volcano from under my new Flowering Cherry Tree.
leeannisafriend hahaha same, had a few upward roots too. Jeez common sense kicks in too late sometimes.
Yes and get a refund from your landscaper
I have the exact same situation
This should help me with my 2 magnolias. Landscapers put root ball a little below the yard level. Sometimes you have to do things yourself to get them done right. The arborist told me to clean out the root flare. This video is perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Very important mulching tip. Thanks Matt and Roger.
My trees are doing great since I did this 2 years ago. Thanks!
bless you for talking about ROOT FLARE!
this was such a great video, I literally watched this, went outside to my Japanese Red Maple, and found that is exactly what was going on with it. If I had not seen this first I probably would have added more mulch right on top. THanks!
I just moved into a house with two big trees in the front with huge mulch volcanoes around them. I had not idea this was even an issue!
Oh wow wow wow I've been strangulating my trees.
Me too😢😢
You and most of the country
these videos relax me.
me too!
Alyssa me three. Plus, I learned how to save the life of beautiful trees as well.
Today, I learned something good
Alyssa I just log in and watch these and chill. Trying to figure out my yard along the way
Alyssa me four.
Tampon Sucker69 you're sick.
That was really useful-thanks!
Thanks Matt.
"Now that that's done, how about we hop in the cah and head to lunch.? I know a place that sells wicked chowdah!"
You haven’t lived until you’ve have wicked chowdah!
As a Bostonian I approve. Actually I can say with a straight face that I’ve probably said a place has “wicked good chowder” more than once in my life without being sardonic.
@@Jeeppeeps... and without exaggerating, I'll bet.
thank you for your clear advise.
Learned something new on this channel........again. Thank you
Good Work!
Learned something new, thx!
Oh, did not know. Thanks!
Very nice!
Great information
"That's right roger"
Great video and explanation, these videos inspired me to create my own.
Hey! Your channel is great. Fancy seeing you here! :)
@@SamBrickell You too! This old house was what I watched as a kid and still do. This was the only DIY back then, Bob Villa and all that!
Thank you!
Next landscaper comes along will pile it right back up!
just what i needed to know
awesome video I run my own landscaping & lawn care but I'm not to big on mulch just yet dirt wise very much tho
I’ve been reading a lot of articles on landscaping and it is sad how many major mistakes people (myself included) and even landscapers make. I’m just learning but realizing things like the hole needs to be two or three times the size of the root ball, not planting it too deep, not making a giant mulch pile on top, making sure to water it properly, the proper fertilizer to use if needed at all, etc.
My neighbors shrubs weren’t growing too well and I pulled one of them out and it was a complete super tight root ball because it had nowhere to go. I’m sure whoever planted it dug into the clay soil just barely the size to fit the root ball and packed clay all around it.
Good video i loved it .. but what do u do with the old mulch that was there?
Do you have a video addressing root problems in container grown woody shrubs and trees and how plant them?
Great video, thanks for the info!
Hi thanks for this video..I did all this. I have so many secondary roots..so should I cut them.all out?
"Power tools" He wasn't kidding
Tiberiu Nicolae the mother of all compressors
Learning tree planting is important as tree maintenance! Do it right get good results!
Is anyone talking about how Roger's hand is completely covered in ants @1:28
great!
I've seen a few places that creates a square perimeter using small logs, to prevent grass seeds blowing onto the mulch -- seems like a good idea.
His hands were covered in ants 😂😂
Thanks guys
Information in your vid has given me what I need to get my young trees a good start,
No, I don't think I'm going out to get an air compressor for a jackhammer, a shovel and a rake will have to do the trick.
"How to properly much around a tree". Step 1, buy a $12K compressor.
Yea dumba$$ think we all have one of those . TOH give us a break!
More like $1-200 for the one day rent....
why bother with a 12k compressor when you plan to cut all the roots anyway?!
You don’t have one knocking about?
Think outside the box a bit.....Leaf blower will work too, just take a little longer.
All the ants on his hand at 1:28 Ouch
+MoneyManHolmes hes a savage
MoneyManHolmes zzazz
Paco Ramirez watch brave wilderness
Lunch time snack.
Piling mulch around the trunk like that isn't good but those roots are feeder roots coming to the surface for the good stuff of the decomposing mulch. Perfectly normal. Walk in the woods those trees do the same and you will see a 100 year old trees with the root flare covered growing fine.
I put more than 2 inches of mulch around a tree without issues. I think it happens more with damaged trees. Two oaks: pin and swamp 0 issues with 4” of mulch (but it is like fresh chips so more air). Also have a dogwood without issues.
Meanwhile a silver maple that probably has some issues… yup immediately roots into the mulch.
I think it has more to do with the stress of the tree and probably the surrounding soil
Hey guys can u guys do a video on Belmont Victorian a
Gain plz
I have a space of nothing around the back of my house. Would filling that gap be good for the house especially in the winter? Thanks in advance!!
I'm a landscaper. I do this every week. I only clicked for the accent.
1:27 how bad did they getcha?
Mr. Cook has proper hair!
A man say a telephone pole in the ground😂🤣🤣.
fine
What's to prevent the "volcano" from happening again over time?
By the way, my neighbors ALL have golf course-looking lawns with volcanoes everywhere. I have no volcanoes, and I'm organic, so I have dreaded dandelions. It's only a matter of time before they run me out of town on a rail.
www.treepans.com
Go find yourself some carboard and trim it as needed and place mulch on top and that will take care of those weeds.
It's only a matter of time that all the neighbors trees will be dead!
1:28 look at all them ants on his hand
the drinking game "take a shot every time somebody in a american video rents an incredible especific and expensive machine so he do not have to do half an hour of mild manual labor"
*When your landscaping company hires high school kids and pays them minimum wage.*
@C II what I meant was the tree was mulched badly because of cheap, incompetent labor.
More like $$$ twice a year for dressing the beds and volcanos.
High-school kids? They are teachable. It's the old bastards that refuse to do anything different.
@@gangisspawn1 yup! These are actual landscapers that messing it up
Then instead by hand dump a little pile and spread that and if its not enough (2inches normal) spread more
what would be the problem of grass growing around the roots?
There is no problem with grass around trees. Creating an edging and mulching around trees is a way to make mowing around a tree easier is all.
@@barbgrajewski9696 weeds around a tree don't compete for nutrients/water? We are trying to grow some trees.
What about placing Preen down prior to the mulch to reduce weeds>
mpharr2 I tried Preen last year and it didn't help. It's possible I waited too long and weed seeds were already germinating. This year I'll combine Preen and Casoron. Hopefully it'll work.
So when you were putting down mulch once every year or so. Do I remove all the old mulch?
no you can leave it but give it a mixing around
I think they made a "mulch volcano" on purpose. If you have to remove it, I just blow it into the yard and mulch it into the grass with a mower.
What is mulch? What are its uses?
My question is, if a tree has a shallow root system, how would you allow for grass to grow properly around the base?
Actually you're talkin about tree species that are just more sensitive to lack of root oxygen resulting from compacted soil.
That is the primary cause of roots growing on top of the soil surface. As they're growing over compacted soil to find better conditions elsewhere. Otherwise they would happily grow deeper, no matter if it was a bottomland wetland evolved trees such as maple.
And if you cannot find your tree's root flare, that means your tree arrived from the nursery with its trunk already to deep in root ball.
This is when you will find surface roots close to tree that had arrived already growing on top surface of root ball.
Mainly caused by up potting deeper and deeper in the nursery. Covering over roots with soil will just make them grow on top of new surface.
This is also reason why Roots lift sidewalks. Because people laying cement compacted the soil underneath. So roots that can't grow deeper grow right underneath sidewalk. Thus lifting is supposed to happen, doh!
do not water on or near the base. but water deeply and you will promote deepr roots. rember, the rots can only go where the water and moisture takes them. There is NO certain species that has "shallow" roots. It all about how you water.
I use my Back-pack Leafblower... :)
but, don't stand in the Dust Cloud.. it's really Bad for it.
*Mulching over tree's Rootball is just like planting it too deeply.* Now with all the untreated Ash trees needlessly succumbing to EAB being shredded into mulch, this fad will kill even more in the future. _Next this old house needs to do an informative video on how edging grass with concave blade around base of trees destroys their surface roots radiating outward._ *Killing trees beautify!* Photo on left is Chicagoland's180-200 year old Green Ash tree protected by me from EAB.
You dont need an expensive piece of equipment you just need a back pack blower
I bouhgt wood dye chips from home Depot for mulching? does it works? how to put fertilizer in tree with presence of mulch ?
colored mulch is fine. it wont hurt the tree. just not as beneficial. but its fine for holding moisture. i do fertilizer stakes around tree. they get burried kinda deep so the trees will get the nutrients.
To fertilize a tree you put the fertilizer on the ground below the drip edge (outer area where rain drips off the outer branches) as this is where most of the root ends are looking for water and nutrients.
When doing this to a new tree, is there any specific mulch to buy? Do you apply mulch right on top of the dirt?
Arborist wood chips are often recommended as the best mulch since the diversity of size and material type prevents compaction and adds more nutrients. And they are usually free to boot :-)
the best thing is a diverse blend of organic woody mulch material aged for at least a month or 2. Don't put fresh tree mulch or " arborist mulch" from a tree cutting job.
Mulch volcano 🌋
I heard that mulch should not be touching the trunk of the tree at all. There should be just soil at the base of the tree so it can more easily absorb water. Is that not true ?
As far as I know the tree is not absorbing water there. It absorbs on the tips where the drip line is. But mulch can hold too much water against trunk so it can rot it out
My newly planted trees has grass and weeds growing at the base. I'm going to add mulch as you show. But before I add mulch do I need to clear the area of weeds and grass? Should I add "Landscape Fabric" before I add the mulch?
No, landscape fabric is for where you don't want anything to grow like rock beds. Don't use it around plants.
So weed fabric isn't recommended before laying down 2inches of mulch?
Weed fabric interferes w/ worms, aeration, & soil quality over time. I wouldn’t.
So why would you not put landscape fabric down
There power poles and telephone companies use to pay power companies to put their lines on power poles.
Nice, but don't jam your cutting tools in the dirt!
How much this tree 🌲
Is grass growing up to the base of the tree going to cause damage ? My arborist hasn’t mentioned that to me.
Yes. Causes compaction and you get a grass volcano instead. Excavate the root flare just like in this video to relieve it and create a perimeter around the trunk
@@matthewfraney9108 thank you! Cheers
@@brianbacich9999 you're welcome!
Question: Do I cover up the root flare?
NO NO NO.
A root flare is a trees tool evolved to prevent stem growing roots. Which situation would be easier to break out of. A noose tightening around your neck, or a noose around your shoulders?
Don't be afraid to keep excavating until you reach common level where buttress Roots flair outward from trunk. That reveals original level in soil young tree was born at.
Unfortunately even if all the trees root flares we're not covered up. There is still a huge nursery growing scandal resulting in deformed trunk flares. Just take a look at a Christmas tree stand having three or four straight outbound legs.
One side of trunk resembling a lousy tripod missing a leg is bad enough. But today I am regularly witnessing distorted trunks with only one large buttress root coming out one side of trunk. Looking similar to a boot or a dog leg. Welcome to the air of puppy mill trees!
@@CONCERTMANchicago you seem to know what you're talking about. I wonder if I will risk the roots freezing this winter if I remove all the extra soil that was laying over root flare? the tree is too big to be moved so I'd also have to leave a "trench" around it as it's below ground level. Is that safe? The tree is doing fine though
@@avssify, you are absolutely correct and we are quickly nearing the time when is better to postpone rather than exposing moist sensitive bark tissue to open sunlight then freezing conditions.
To be honest this is still a relatively new art of science which myself and other arborculturists are busy advancing forefront of science of.
From our experience so far, soft barked species such as maple have proven most sensitive too late season freezing thawing conditions. And it's suggested that one temporarily cover up open areas with wood chips, then uncover them again next spring in order for exposed tissue continue recovery process.
I learned this from personal experience three years ago after excavating buried area of new red silver maple cultivar in late October. Only to have tissue split and die back requiring time for new wound tissue to compartmentalize over damaged area.
Of course I've kept this early experimentation focusing on public right-of-way and parking lot trees so if anything did go wrong, nobody would be losing a parkway tree in front of their house nor a private tree family would be saddened to lose.
Regarding trench. It's well accepted practice to attempt lowering entire grade as far out as possible rather than causing adverse conditions resulting in pooling water that would take time to drain.
On older well established trees when surrounding grade needs to be risen because of construction or whatever. It's best to install a tree well where trunk and surrounding crown flair sits lower in ground within a box.
And yes KC, younger trees will have a chance of establishing and looking healthy for a while. But by time one observes any decline it's usually too late. Thus it's well worth the effort to correct when early rather than waiting around for high chance of inevitable to happen and losing tree entirely then having to start all over again with new tree.
In conclusion every situation is different, and there is no one approach that can be used across the board. I hope I answered your questions, a photo of situation would sure help out a lot though when suggesting what needs to be done.
@@CONCERTMANchicago couldn't have hoped for such a detailed answer. Thanks so much! I'd love to bother you with some photos if you can share your contact or something
Is the dirt around the tree supposed to be level with the ground? Someone told us that you are supposed to have a dirt volcano but leave like a 3 inch moat around the trunk....
You were told wrong, unfortunately.
I have two trees in my backyard that have always had grass growing all the way up to their trunks. One is a pear tree and the other is an apple tree. I would like to add mulch around the tree to seperate it from the grass. How do I know the diamter of the mulch surface needed for each tree?
Typically, as far out as the edge of the branchline.
Check out this IOS App, it's called Mulch. It tells you how much Mulch you need after taking a few measurements, don't forget to read the App description to help you better understand the process. itunes.apple.com/us/app/mulch/id976094339?mt=8
_KINGsizeWINNER__, apply 1 inch blanket layer of Mulch beginning outward some six to 12 inches from trunks root flair base, and feathering higher to 2 inch level past tree's drip line._ This ANSI approved method holds true, regardless of trees age or size. Within several months, rain & wind will carry Mulch inward toward trunk, and lightly cover root balls open soil. Remember first to clear any accumulated soil partially covering original root flair level which young tree should have been properly installed at, paralleling or 2" above surrounding grade. The larger the "Tree wells"circumference holding mulch in place, the more beneficial Mulch applications are. The whole yard surrounding tree can be mulched, rather than sodded. Just keep it away from trunk!
CAUTION when edging grass bordering mulch, because trees needed feeder roots are just below sod's roots. If reapplying mulch each or every other year, breaking up previous layers with rake first helps determine if one or two accumulated inches should be removed. Turning over decomposing mulch will also assure any Advantageous root growth is not being produced above soil level. The scientific goal with Mulch applications is to benefit soils thin organic decomposing matter (C)layer, not to shunt smothered feeder root growth upward into mulch layer. Like video said, all visible root growth should radiate directly outward. Normally real roots always intersect and join each other underground with no problem, but Advantageous ones produced above root flair which are supposed to be stem branches do not play nice.
Long ago trees evolved a solution against wayward root growth encircling trunk by utilizing their powerful buttress roots to sever them. Apologize for such a detailed answer to your important question. But as an Arborist who encounters at least 10 trees per week needlessly strangling themselves after surrounding soil level raised or mulch mounded, its become an epidemic throughout Chicagoland. Good luck, and Enjoy summer of 2015!
1:30 so many ants!
Anyone else here after they built 3 mulch volcanoes and their wife yelled at them?
The previous owners did this to one of my trees. It's a 75ft Green Ash. The problem is they used dirt and landscaping rocks. I probably can't use an air spade to remove it because of the rocks, right?
It's only been volcano-d for about 1.5 years though
I had volcano mulch... then got TreePans www.treepans.com
Will it harm the tree if I plant flowers around it?
Never get the trunk or structural roots wet!
Would have been nice to finish the job by adding drip so we see how far away from trunk to put it.
we probably wouldn't need to chop down so many Canadian Trees for Mulch if people mulched correctly
👍👏🙏
this video does not show how to mulch around a tree. it shows how to correct incorrectly mulched trees.
i like that it shows people something that they can relate to (recognize) - but, I especially like that they mention ROOT FLARE several times!
What dope planted these trees?
Mr Anonymous Maybe the question should be who mulched the trees. Sometimes it's not the same person or team.
Jerkster your a douche bag I didn't see any racist comments I see you have the perfect name for yourself, liberals always trying to make something out of nothing
It's just a stereotype. Calm down, it's not the end of the world.
haha my thoughts exactly, now imagine how much those trees cost, $50? $100? Owner lost out a lot of money hiring cheap labor
I don't have this power tool, what other tool can I use
You've got hands to type don't you? Use them.
Wow, just wanted advise, that why I went to you..NO NEED TO BE SOOO RUDE!!!!
@@blacbeauty8871 Hey lady, this is what we do on That Old House. Yell at me again and I'll send Richard to bolt that old trap of yours.
-Tom Silva, Silva Brothers Construction.
I'm not old!!!
Shovel, hand trowel, hand claw (with the 3 prongs), a stiff brush (when you get close to the roots to avoid scuffing/damaging them).
Don't use a compressor, just blew dirt over the grass. Simply dig it out and put in tarp or wheel Barrow
Somebody obviously did all those volcanoes!
I'll supply the punchline first, because I know how busy us tree professionals can be. All the evidence of young trees growing roots on top of ground landscapers keep talking about while using as biggest excuse to over mulch trees. landscapers blame people for installing trees one or two in above grade and because not planted deep enough...
But the overwhelming fact is how these trees root systems had already been severely suffocated when still growing in nurseries. Thus all that tripping root growth on top of the ground surrounding new trees quickly popping up within first two years after planting.
Really goes to show just how seriously bad great great majority of today's nursery stock arriving already too deep and root ball has become just within last 5 years.
So it figures how most of the professional landscapers across our United States only continue dumping more mulch on the problem, forcing tree to produce even more above ground roots.
I was told to never put mulch around a tree because the roots don't go looking down for water and they stay close to the surface. Why the heck would you take the mulch away then put more right back on for the exact sane thing will happen again?
as long as the mulch isn't in the volcano shape it can be beneficial.. it will help by protecting trees from lawn equipment by keeping grass far enough out and preventing cuts, help with keeping the temperature consistent and with moisture retention.
2-3 inches of mulch is not bad like a huge mound. Water can penetrate, and you only apply fresh mulch as the old mulch disintegrates. The same thing won't happen again!
Why is this not a problem on fruit trees? They take off great in my experience.
This IS infact a problem on fruit trees very much so! - keep the trunk free and dry!
Should I put plastic down first ?
No plastic. Bad for soil aeration & soil life, so plastic would be bad for the tree's long term health
@@JWHealing Thank you. My beautiful spruce is dying, from the bottom-up.
@@hisoverlorduponhigh90 Oh that's terrible. I'm so sorry! It didn't have a mulch volcano did it? Do you know the cause?
@@JWHealing My neighbor suggested I cut off several branches on the bottom. I should not have done this. I think the soil, is not holding moisture.
@@hisoverlorduponhigh90 Hmmm. Maybe get a good arborist to look at it. They have seen it all. If you were in my area (Olympia, WA) I'd have a good company to recommend. We just got some great tree work done in the last 2 days that we'd been putting off forever. They were so awesome. It's a massive relief to have it done.
how to get rid of carpenter ants plis
why is it bad to have grass around the tree though? It looks so pretty and natural...
it's ok, just not too close to tree...the "root ball" needs air, moisture attracts pests/disease.
Also there will be tons of weeds pop up in that. Just saying
Crap! I planted my bloodgood maple about 2" above grade. But it settled and now it's 3" below grade. CRAP!
How about explaining it in a simpler form when I can't go out and get the million-dollar machines very tight budget and retired
There will be always be some things that you can only get by paying more than you'd like. You can get the approximate effect of "air spading" by carefully using a brush and dust pan to tease soil out of the root mass.
That process with the compressor is called “air spading “ def not a diy tool bruh.
If I handled mulch that way where I live (without gloves), I'd be loaded with chigger bites... maybe I should move to New England.