Declaring War on Mulch Mounding of Trees

Mike McGrath, radio personality of You Bet Your Garden, has declared war on the practice of mulch mounding of trees! To support his plea to cease and desist this practice, he has interviewed several tree experts including our own curator, Andrew Bunting.

The beautiful root flare of a newly planted Quercus rubra. photo credit: R. Robert

Mulch mounding can be so devastating to trees that the Scott Arboretum only applies mulch on the ground around the tree. When we plant, we even pull back the ground to expose the dramatic root flare.

Gypsy moth have infested this Betula nigra Heritage. photo credit: R. Robert

These colossal mounds of mulch retain moisture around the tree trunk, encouraging the development of adventitious root growth. These roots grow straight up through the mulch, are the first to die during a drought,  and ensure that your tree is the first to die as well. This excessive retention of moisture around the bark also weakens the tree; making it the first to succumb to pest and diseases.

Just say NO to improper mulching. photo credit: R. Robert

Hear Mike McGrath’s plea to halt this practice, the testimony of several other plant experts, and Andrew Bunting’s insight (45:15 min.) on You Bet Your Garden website. For the health of your trees and your landscape, we join Mike McGrath in saying “stop improper mulching and just say no!”