How to edge and mulch around a tree
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 сер 2024
- This is how to edge around a tree and mulch around a tree. It's pretty simple, but it gives a clean look without any fancy tools or equipment. You could even do this with a regular shovel, the edger I use just makes it a bit easier to do.
Want to watch more lawn care videos with lawn care tips like these? Subscribe to Grass Daddy today!
ua-cam.com/users/gr...
See the Results: www.grassdaddy.net/photos/86/1-My-Favorite-Lawn-Photo
Get the FREE Newsletter: lawncarenewsletter.com
One common mistake that many people make when mulching around trees, is that they often stack up the mulch real high at the tree base. The volcano look. My son who is an a arborist, said that all that excess mulch creates to much heat / insulation at the tree base and the tree will eventually start to die from the ground up. He suggested leaving about a 4 inch trench at the base of the tree. He swarmed in and re did all of mine.
The volcano look is very bad for trees. The tree will grow a second bunch of roots which will strangle and kill the tree.
Easy,inexpensive,and looks great! Like my Dad told us kids plenty of times"Why pay someone else to do it when you can do it yourself as good or better and save the money!". He then used the savings to take Mom out to dinner and a movie and made her happy! And the neighbors were impressed by Dad's work and wondered why Mom was smiling so much.😉
I would find it hard to believe someone would hire a company to fo thst.
@@rickb4806 Outside a person with a physical disability, hiring someone would not be good.Doing it myself would be easy enough to do.
Got that BIG d
Another good tip is if you lay a couple of layers of newspaper down underneath the mulch before you put the mulch down it will prevent weeds and grass from growing back up in it for a very long time. And the newspaper will decompose back into the soil within a month or so. It works great.
That's what they made green for
Or, can use cardboard. There is cardboard that doesn't have ink on them, too.
Another good tip is tie a piece of rope loosely around the tree trunk and walk around the tree at the desired size of the bed marking it with anything for a precise circle. 👌🏽
That's how I did, tying a spray paint can at the other side of the rope.
there is a specific type of paint can for just this purpose. The nozzle points straight up and the can is made to be used upside down. Just finished cutting in for 8 new maple trees using that method. Essentialy perfect circles.
Lawn Dad great idea about the string around tree
I was thinking this exactly
I like to hire a survey crew with a GPS unit for a precise circle.
Thank you very much. I’m a 50 year lady 92 pounds 5 feet. So edging is a bit hard for me.
You helped me out a great deal. I like how you spoke and showed the details. I was leaving too much of a slant around the edge allowing mulch in to my lawn whenever my husband did string trimming.
I appreciate it! It’s time for me to get edging. I have about 20 tress from a year old to 30 years old. 👍
I'm so glad to help!
Good, simple achievable. I appreciate tips like this that don't all start with, "first, rent a $300 a day piece of machinery from us..."
I'm a several years experienced professional at this stuff.. I've edged and mulched literally thousands of trees ..
This is an excellent job 👍
1" if mulch is all that's needed unless you have plants that need wet feet, or live in an area very prone to drought, and you didn't plant trees that naturally grow in your area..
I like to keep the outer edge almost completely free of mulch so it accentuates the edge..
Another tip is to make sure the mulch doesn't come in contact with the tree at all, as it can cause the tree to rot out.. I usually use a small hand shovel to scrape away a bit of the dirt from around it too.. this also prevents the volcano look that you mentioned..
Very nice video, job well done!
When maintaining your tree, cut off eyeball pokers (limbs at eye level to your family, both standing and at mower seat height), and always remember to remove the three D's (dead, damaged, diseased branches). 👍👍
Thanks! I try to leave the outer edge free too so when you edge with a trimmer to clean it up it doesn't fling mulch everywhere! My wife does the trees so I don't touch them 🤣
Will making a volcano look hurt the tree
*_Compliments from an experienced Arborist!_* One tip that is true for both installing and first mulching a tree. Is to excavate "Root Flare" or "Root Crown", from accumulated soil. Which is a trees naturally evolved tool that breaks off any circling roots, with pressure produced by buttress roots as they enlarge. All roots should be growing radially outbound from tree, none parallel to or growing back toward trunk. In fact, re-sweeping flare each spring is one of most beneficial things one can do, according to US Forest Service. Remember never raise soil grade around base of tree. And Mulch turns into soil...So cultivate and even harvest old layers of mulch before applying new. Ask...If you could breath through that much mulch, then so can your tree's or plant's roots.
You can also use the removed sod to fill in bare spots in your yard, if you remove them carefully, just make sure to water them really well after replanting.
Yes! I do this too
I do the same thing! Great minds think alike!
Yuppers.
I tried doing this, and the grass died :( lol
Looks great! I did the same thing around my trees! It makes the yard and tree look so much better. I use my driveway edger to cut the grass.
So great to see someone posting lawncare videos that’s not a contractor
I do it because I want people to see you don't have to be anything special to do your lawn ;-) (Not saying pros aren't good, just that us normal folks can do it too if we want to)
Mulch circles take some work to install but are easy to maintain once established. I have fruit trees planted in rows, with 5' mulch circles around them, using cocoa bean mulch. Needless to say, it looks outstanding! It's good for the trees too, grass outcompetes them for water.
Tip for getting a perfect circle. Loop a rope around the tree and tie the ends off at the distance you want. Not put the shove/edger inside the loop and pull it snug. No need to measure.
Exactly how I do it. No need for a tape measure and trying to remember the measurement.
I love how thick your edges were.
Nice and clean.
You can make this a much cleaner job by throwing the turf onto a tarp. Then you can haul it to your raised vegetable beds and place it upside down (green side down) as a base for your raised garden soil bed and add additional soil on top so the grass doesn't sprout back in your raised bed. Also, I would add some fresh garden soil to the tree bed, since tree surface roots must stay healthy for the tree to thrive after stripping a layer off those fine roots.
I tie a piece of string at the base of the tree at the desired radius and walk it around the tree with my manual edger tool. Makes a nice circle.
Very nice job! Looks beautiful! Kudos to you for keeping the mulch away from the tree trunk. (So many times, I see it mounded up against the trunk, which will kill the tree.) Great video!
Didn't know this, good note
I like this dude he is so calm and seems very honest
Thanks!
Love the fast motion and voice over. Best way to do videos like this. Thanks.
FINALLY,someone who uses an edger like mine. Lol. Seriously though,I find,that I'm better with the old fashioned,than the gas or electric.
Me,too,dude! Plus no moving parts to fix,no gas expense,no noise,no neighbors complaining of the fumes stench!
Planting perineal plants under trees look amazing too!
Enjoy him now; he will grow up fast. One day my boy was a baby and the next he was getting a masters degree.
I really love work, can watch it for hours.
Hahaha me too
Great Video. "Hey, I do this once a year so." your speaking my language. Just decided to save the money and do it myself.
It's easy to do, I enjoy being able to see the difference and know I did it rather than hire it out!
Placing the mulch 3" deep is a weed deterrent, then maintain that 3" depth, also holds moisture in better ... $.02
Having too much can cause white mold
Are you sure?
@Finalaproach Its supposed to be at least 2 inches.
@@andlerswetpets2434 "The white stuff is a beneficial fungus that is decaying the organic matter you put into the bed. These fungi, called saprophytic fungi, do not attack plants or cause plant diseases. They feed on dead organic matter, like mulch, compost, soil conditioner, etc. They are critical to soil health."
That’s a perfect circle.
Cool video...I just planted a young lemon tree. I only use natural mulch for fruit trees, never dyed or fake materials that could be hazardous when we digest the fruit. I also heard 2-3 inches of mulch is appropriate for proper drainage. Thanks for sharing bud.
Like watching your shows. I am a professional landscaper in Florida. I like to see different perspectives.
Same here! Thanks for watching!
Here is a tip we use on the golf course I work at. When you take your edger and make your vertical cuts like you did, go back around from the inside and make horizontal cuts. These horizontal costs should meet with your vertical cuts and will completely make pulling the sod up effortlessly.
Also, the "professional" that told you that about a power edger is mistaken. It may be harder for him, but by no way is it worse. Actually it will give you perfect straight lines every time where-as that manual edger you are using may kinda zig and zag. But don't get me wrong I would have used a manual edger like you did. The amount of work it would take to draw a power edger out just to do that itty bitty teeny weeny job would have been far more hassle then it's worth.
Also something I noticed, you cannot see your "root flare" at the base of the tree. By covering this up, you are suffocating your primary root structure causing the tree to form a secondary root system which can wrap around the tree, and choke the tree too death. I first heard about this from a TV show called "This Old House" maybe you have heard about it. We don't mulch the tree's properly at the course I work at and because of it the tree's are constantly dying and dropping limbs or getting diseases. This problem can be remedied by making sure you don't "volcano mulch" but when the flare is really deep in the yard it's not really worth putting a huge dip in your yard just for 1 tree. If it dies just re plant a new one.
You did mention the volcano mulch problem and you said you use about 1 inch. 1 Inch is fine I wouldn't do any more then 1-2 inches. Really the mulch serves 2 purposes. It coveres the dirt from sun preventing weeds from growing, but also it looks nice. To thin of mulch will not serve the 1st purpose and to much can make it look bad (like those volcano's).
+scriptless thank you for the tips!
scriptless, ditto on the root flare issue. I am planting about 12 new trees right now, being careful to keep the flare at terrain level.
America's got talent
The purpose of applying 2-3 inches of mulch is to hold in moisture. However, you should not apply mulch within 2-3 inches of tree trunk since voles, mice, insects use the cover of the mulch to get to the tree and chomp away.
I've seen some people get way too carried away. This year I'll try to video some hehe
I would agree about the mulch depth, mostly because I have blue clay. If I did not have a sufficient amount of mulch to soak up the water my tree would be sitting in a big puddle. The blue clay takes hours if not a complete day to absorb water. This also why trees have to be planted above grade so water can shed away.
@@billybob-zg4bx you missed the point. You should pull the mulch just s little away from the tree trunk so the critters will not be hidden all the way to the tree bark, a nice meal.
Join the free lawn care newsletter - get monthly lawn care schedule reminders! lawncarenewsletter.com
Grass Daddy I love your vedos
Thanks!
Join my monthly email newsletter for tips, tricks, and what to expect each month in lawn care: leadpage.com/page/122.html
Grass D...I was looking at this, when at 00:43, small kid runs away...Sooo funny
You make it look easy to do! But thanks for the tips i will try this i really need some edging around my plants! You did a great job i love what you did looks AMAZING that edging makes a world of difference!
HOW could this possibly be difficult? A 10 year old can figure this out real easy. There is no need for a video like this! I can't believe people need to watch this process here for mulching around a tree or anything else
I'd love to get my hands on that tree for 5 minutes. Lol I do the same with a manual edger then use the scraps to fix bare spots elsewhere.
Your dirt looks wonderful!
Nicely made, very informative video! Liked and subscribed. All the best to you and your family 🌷
the amount of moon spades I have got through, cutting a new edge I have started to use my lawn edger.
Just did this... tried doing it hahah finally finished but my grass was NOT coming out that easy. Lots of grass roots still remained there but I’ll deal with that next year. It’s 101 today. I should have done it in the spring haha
Haha yeah 101 I'd do a foot or two and go take a break 🤣
Looks great, thanks for posting!
I use the circle of rope around tree and tool, system to get the shape. I do not like the lever action compressing the lawn but tend to kick the tool forwards slightly on the first pass after each insertion, then on the second pass put your steel toecap up behind the tool and lever on that, not the turf. Removal of the circle of turf into barrow or buckets leaves a void ready for topsoil and mulch back filling. Minimum depth of mulch near tree trunk.
That was clean. Just what I needed
It's always funny to see gardening videos on UA-cam. None of them are located in the South where we have nothing but Red Clay that nothing grows in and is impossible to dig through. Lol.
sorry for you =P
Yea....a big stupid lol.
Lololololollol
Thanks grass daddy , I've been thinking about doing this for weeks , I have 2 cherry trees in my front garden that has grass growing up to the base , it's difficult to mow around and years of strimming( weed wacking) has left them scared . Def gonna do this this week. Thanks mate loving the channel
+Gixer750pilot do it! So much easier now!
I have done 2 trees this week and it looks great, thanks GD!
It's true smothering the tree base with mulch will harm the growth. Also, a pre-emergent like Preem is good to use before putting on the mulch.
Or use some cardboard.
Preen is the way to go. But only after first weeding the area to be mulched.
Looking at this video I definitely need to edge further out from the trunk
Great Video.
Thanks for Sharing.
Very clean and nice work 👌 great idea I'll be doing the same on my trees
You're lucky you have nice soil. I live in an area where the soil has a lot of sand in it so, when I do edging, it simply doesn't hold. It collapses over time due to rain and weather.
eesh I've got nothing for you on that one, it would drive me nuts.
I live near the desert and had the same soil. I added some garden soil,some loose clay for moisture retention,some dirt/mulch mix,and some compost,mixed together like a salad and mixed into the sand,watered and everything coming up roses.(yes pun intended). I let mine sit for 2 weeks and then planted my stuff and used the same mix to fill the holes and topped with mulch like he did in the video.8 months later and after a bad California winter(an actual winter) my plants are doing great.
would edging bricks help?
Maybe, cut some 2x4s, cut at the correct angle to make a circle, and decide how long each board should be. Maybe, 8", 10", or 12" board lengths will work.
Nice job, I love a clean edge!
So helpful. I’m motivated.
Awesome! Thanks for watching
Watching that makes me want to do mine which I haven't done at all
Awesome! It really gives it a nice look
Nice job to a fellow weekend warrior. Thanks for the video!
I am a pro landscaper 20 years experience.
The best way to do this job and be accurate is to start with the gas trimmer take the guard off the machine this will be your pencil as you turn the machine Upside down so you can score the ground to give you a visual of the line and circumference when you’re happy go full throttle with the trimmer and make a permanent line
cut everything inside the line short !
Then follow the line with the square spayed and voilà it’s perfect 👌🏻
Good idea!
@@GrassDaddy You're way too gracious.
Ok... so your way is the "best way", but that doesn't mean your way is the only way.
Best Tree edging style
u forgot to have a beer in between. lol nice work
LAWNFORCE LLC Beer is also good for the lawn! along withccewing tobacco, dish soap & epson salts.
THE BOURBON!
I've done all my trees this way, however I don't like leaving the trench this deep due to the lawnmower wheels accidentally falling into the trench a scalping my grass in the past. Over the years I have added mulch and built it up to where I no longer have this problem. I now us e a riding mower, but in the past years I always mowed with my lawn mower wheels adjusted to the second highest cutting level and always had this scalping problem.
I love the look of the deep edge, so you have to mow with a 6in border and then trim it after. though the swardman you can go right over the edges because it's front/rear rollers keep it from scalping!
You can put small pavers on the outside edge of the tree ring, sitting inside the trench. Then the lawn mower's left wheels can ride on them, if your grass shoots to the right, which they usually do.
thicker mulch bed will naturally keep weeds out. they have a hard time reaching the sun when seeding and die.
+TurboFlush yeah
Great Job and I also like the simple look. Thank you
+Janelle Parker thanks!
And you can use that ring of grass to fill in other spots
Very nice soil!!
What’s the wrap around the trunk?
So perfect great job 👏🏽
What about using those round rubber shredded mulch mats? Do you recommend using those?
Beginning of video "Come on kids, we're leaving! Your father is spending all of his time on the yard....again".
this is cool, simple and easy; thanks for this video.
Great video! Very simple I think I can do it now!
You made it looked harder than it is
Thanks buddy 👍🏾 ill be doing used work next week great tip
thanks!
Tip. Stick ur foot behind the edger before u pry so u don't crush your edge. It keeps it sharp and crisp
Also. A simple weed wack vertically and horizontal makes the biggest difference and makes it look extremely professional
Yes I use the weed wacker weekly to keep the edge but each year I define it with the edger. Which I did some this year but I gots more to do!!
Excellent job
Thanks!
Edge Daddy - How long will this edge last?
Is this something you have to do every year? Multiple times a year?
Thank you for sharing.
Excellent video! Thank you!
can’t tell - how much space between the tree trunk and mulch? i know mulch isn’t supposed to ever touch the tree bark (slow ‘underground’ death)
Just an inch or two
I use river rock or whatever stone you prefer. Once and done. Since mulch is an ongoing endeavor. Plus when mulch is placed around a house, you’re begging for termites.
Just use Redwood or Cedar chips. They will repel termites, and other insects.
According to a lot of arborists, mulch should be kept 6 inches from the trunk of the tree.
Great Video 👍👏🤘
What are the chances of cutting through tree roots using this method? That's the only part that concerns me. I need to do this to several mature trees (5 years old).
You should be able to feel when you got a root and just work around it
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Very helpful trying it this weekend
An added tip it to tamp down the bed of mulch so that it isn’t blown away from the wind 💨
Haha ive had that tool for years but didnt know what it was for. It came with my auction junk
lol so you're like me, you collect tools even before you know what it's good for.. cuz just in case!
That really looks professional,neat and clean.👏👏
I don't care for worms,they creep me out! 😝
I dont mind them in my garden,long as I don't have to see or touch them!!😊
Little son is cute!, like his little shoe's😁I now know how to edge around my citrus,hope it looks like yours when I am finished.😊
Thank you for sharing, awesome video👍🤗
My wife wanted to go fishing with me one day. I had to put the worm on her hook. Then when a fish hit her hook, I had to reel it in because it was fighting her. Then I had to take the fish off the hook because it was trying to bite her. Then I had to put another worm on her hook. She ended up beating me fishing that day... 1 fish to none ;)
How many inches away from the base of the tree should I dig?
😍 Great video! 👍 👏🏻
thanks!
I tried this but was so difficult because my tree had so many roots under i could barely get the edger in
Nice edging!!
Great job!
Very simple
+IN HIS HANDS thanks!
Grass Daddy Indeed
You could have added a couple of rocks to make that deep edge better but you like it like that it’s all good.
Do you recommend putting landscape fabric around tree base before adding mulch?
@grass daddy what grass type is that? I would like to do something like this (in terms of the bare edge) but I have kikuyu grass so I am wondering if this is possible with Kikuyu as they grow runners and cause all sorts of issues.
Great video
Good job you do like professional
How big should I make the circular on a 2’ wife at the base tree? What’s she white rag wrapped at the base for?
I do it based on how much space I need to mow around the tree. If it's branches are high up so you can get close then I'd do it smaller. Or if you have other trees try to match that size. The white wrap is to prevent animals from chewing on the trunk.
Looks nice good job how far from the trunk to the edge of the grass the ring I seen you measuring with a tape measure .
It grows each year as the branches expand. Basically I get close with the shovel and when it feels close enough I measure.
No vulcano mulch! That can cause the secondary roots to strangled the tree and may die
Cristina Queimado exactly, I've seen some 4ft tall volcanoes!
Helpful video, thanks!, How much water does it need? I live in S TEXAS so I have to water plants/trees late at night and what I usually do it fill it until I see a little pond then just let it absorb. Am I doing this right?
Thanks for the great tips.
Yea that looks real good 👍
nice work keep up the great job you do.