Mulch: Add Another Layer to Protect Your Trees’ Roots

If you’re a Dallas homeowner, we always recommend planting native trees in your yard. Species that are native to North Texas have evolved to survive our climate, from extreme summer heat to below-freezing days and nights in the winter.

That said, most Dallas homeowners will need to take preventative measures to keep their trees in good health. Whether you have non-native species or your native species are struggling as the climate changes, mulch can make a big difference.

Why use mulch for trees and not just your garden beds? As your local tree experts, we’re here to tell you.

Read on to learn all about the benefits of adding layers of mulch to the earth below your trees.

Protecting Tree Roots from Temperature Fluctuations

Properly applied mulch can play a huge role in the temperature regulation of your yard. It acts as a barrier between extreme temperatures above and the root systems below, diffusing heat that could otherwise scorch or dry out your tree’s roots and protecting tree roots from winter frost. This temperature control can keep your tree happy and growing, rather than transitioning into temperature-fueled survival mode.

Maintaining Consistent Moisture Levels

Temperature fluctuations can also have a big impact on the moisture that is available for your tree’s roots. Mulch can help to retain moisture in dry spells and high heat and prevent moisture from freezing in the cold. Mulch can also help to absorb heavy rainfall so that the roots don’t drown or rot due to overwatering.

Improving Your Soil Health and Biome

Nutrient-rich soil can better support your tree’s root systems, especially when that tree is young and needs more resources to sustain its steady growth. Organic mulches such as wood chips, straw, and bark will decompose over time, and studies have found that these organic mulches reintroduce nutrients into soil that has become depleted over time. Mulch can also act as a natural pest control, preventing weed growth, while also improving the soil biome.

Making Your Yard More Attractive

Mulch can give your yard a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing look, which is always a plus. It can also create a barrier around your trees when you mow or string-trim your yard, which can prevent the trunk from sustaining unsightly damage that can harm your trees. While you may enjoy the look of inorganic mulch such as rocks or rubber pellets, we encourage you to use organic mulch that will provide substantial benefits in addition to a uniform appearance.

Reusing Sustainable Resources

Chances are, you have your trees cut back every year to encourage healthy growth and protect your property, and you may even have trees cut down. Did you know that you can use the wood from trimmed or removed trees to create your own organic wood chip mulch? This can provide a cheap and sustainable source for your mulching needs.

Proper Mulching Habits

We’re not just here to tell you why mulch is great for your trees. We’re also here to provide a few tips and tricks that will help you to get the most out of the many uses for mulch. Let’s take a quick look at some proper mulching habits.

Mulch in the Spring

While adding a fresh layer of mulch to your tree and garden beds is a good idea all year round, it’s best to mulch in the spring. In the spring, the ground is beginning to warm up, which stimulates growth and helps your trees to revive after a long winter. By mulching in the spring, you allow that warmth to settle in and then protect your soil temperatures from the high heat that’s just around the corner.

Don’t Make Mulch from Diseased or Infested Trees

As we mentioned earlier, you can use your own tree refuse to make organic mulch. However, you don’t want to mulch any branches or trunks that were removed (or fell) due to disease or infestation. Using diseased or infested mulch can cause your healthy trees to become diseased or infested, themselves.

Don’t Layer Mulch Too High

When you’re laying mulch down around your trees, you want to create an even layer that isn’t too thick. When mulch is piled high, it can create the ideal burrowing space for rodents and other pests that you probably don’t want in your yard. Plus, it can slow the natural decomposition of the mulch, which means a slower release of nutrients, and it can smother the oxygen in your soil, which is a crucial part of healthy root growth.

Replenish Mulch as It Decomposes

We don’t think of mulching as a one-and-done process. Instead, you should expect to replenish mulch as it decomposes, which can take several years depending on the type and density of your mulch. Most of the time, we recommend adding a fresh layer of mulch to your tree and garden beds each year, allowing last year’s mulch to continue to break down into the soil.

Don’t Overlook the Importance of Mulch for Trees

If you’re looking for a way to protect your trees and encourage healthy roots all year round, it’s time to consider organic mulch. As you can see, there are tons of benefits of mulch for trees, from increased temperature and moisture control to enhanced soil nutrients and biomes.

Keeping your trees healthy isn’t always an easy thing to do, which is why we recommend working with a tree service in Dallas. From storm damage to overgrowth to disease, a lot can threaten the health of your trees and the safety of your property. Contact GreenPine Tree Service for all of your tree removal and tree trimming in Dallas.