Well, it looks like it is time mulch again. Though it isn't unheard of for many tree owners to wonder whether there are any benefits to mulching. It can take a lot of time to complete and money to invest in. You may even ask yourself asking if it's worth it.
And the answer to that thought is yes, it is.
Mulching your garden & tree beds are an important step for the overall success of your plants and trees. Mulching prevents the appearance of weeds in your beds and even keeps the moisture locked into the soil. To further explain the importance of mulching your trees here are five reasons.
1) Mulch Can Double How Fast Trees Grows
- By adding mulch it can nearly double the growth rate of your tree–-compared to how trees typically grow in grass.
- Mulch increases the growth rate of walnut trees by 89 percent. Other fine hardwood trees – like oak, maple, hickory, birch, beech and cherry trees – grow 79 percent more with mulch!
2) Mulch Significantly Reduces Weeds By Up To 45 to 85 Percent
- Mulch prevents many weed seeds from germinating by lessening the amount of light they get.
- Thicker, coarser organic mulch, rather than a finer mulch like compost, does a better job reducing weed growth.
- One study found that mulch can reduce weed growth by 45 percent the first year and 85 percent the second year!
3) Mulch Gives The soil Added Nutrients
- Mulch helps your tree's soil accumulate more nutrients, like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
- The more inches of mulch you add, the more nutrients your soil gets. But, too much mulch can actually damage plants. That’s why 2 to 3 inches of mulch is best.
4) Mulch Can Reduce Water Evaporation By 35 Percent and Soil Erosion By Up To 86 Percent
- Organic mulch can reduce water evaporation by about 35 percent–compared to bare soil. If you apply the right amount of mulch, you can significantly reduce how often and how much you water.
- Plus, adding a layer of organic mulch can reduce soil erosion by up to 86 percent. Soil erosion removes topsoil, which contains all kinds of good organic matter that your trees and plants need.
5) Mulch Around Trees Keeps The Roots At An Ideal Temperature
- Mulch acts as a constant insulator for our tree by keeping the soil warm in winter and cool in summer.
- Organic, coarser mulch does a better job at this than inorganic or processed mulches, like fabrics or plastics.
