Mulch volcanoes have become trendy, little mounds that many people make around the trunk of trees, “landscaping” they call it. It looks professional, elegant and modern, but the reality is that this new practice is making trees get sick from the root. And it is something we have adopted and that appears absolutely everywhere, in private gardens, in parks, in practically every neighborhood…
That excess of mulch (that is what it is called) can cause the roots to rot, to strangle each other, and you may end up without a tree… plus, many people spend money on this and do not know that what they are doing is destroying their own tree… just because it is fashionable!
What is the “mulch volcano”?
It is mulch piled around the trunk of trees, in a cone shape (as if it were a volcano, of course). The problem is that people believe this protects the tree because it retains moisture better, or simply because it looks cute.
A danger to your trees
The famous mulch volcanoes basically consist of creating a giant cone that covers the entire base of the tree. They look beautiful and we know that, but you are not doing your little tree any favors… you are actually killing it.
As if you were strangling it…
Specialists from the Home and Garden Information Center at the University of Maryland explain that this pile of mulch covers the root flare, the part of the trunk where the roots begin, which prevents oxygen and ventilation from reaching it.
When the tree does not breathe well, the roots start growing upward, searching for air and nutrients however they can. And in that chaos, they end up circling the trunk, choking it. Over the years, they literally strangle it from the inside.
Full of moisture
In addition, so much mulch retains moisture, creating the “perfect” environment to rot the bark. Instead of protecting the tree, it creates a microclimate of humidity that makes it rot.
An environmental problem
The reality is that there is no reason at all to put this “volcano” on trees, you spend money and all it does is damage them. Once the tree dies, it has to be replaced, and there goes more money… the waste cycle.
Are trees really that important?
Of course! Trees are the creators of oxygen, they are the ones who take care of us and protect us, and literally, thanks to trees we breathe, the environment is nice, and besides, they are beautiful.
Are we in time to stop it?
Luckily, yes, and the solution is as simple as removing this mulch, leaving the trunk visible and leaving only a thin layer, which is enough to keep the tree healthy.
Choosing native trees
Many specialists take the opportunity to recommend a more sustainable approach, including native plants in the garden, they need less water and help with the pollination process for bees, we all win!!
Rewilding
We have a task now, to transform our gardens into more natural spaces, they do not need to be perfect, just natural. This way, besides lowering costs, we will have a unique biodiversity space for ourselves, more resilient and much healthier!
It started as a trend on social media because it looked pretty, but the reality is that putting this type of “decoration” to care for your tree will have the totally opposite effect… You do not need to do that to your tree, trust us 😉