Treedweller wrote:
On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 17:50:07 GMT, "Travis"
wrote:

FardinA wrote:
Hi,
I have planted three trees (CrabApple, Amor Cherry). These trees
were in burlap when I received them. I followed what my local
tree nursery person suggested. I have spread mulch around the
trees. However, i am not sure if that's a good thing to do for
young trees. I have heard that putting mulch on newly planted
trees causes harm for the tree. On the other hand, there is an
opposite idea that mulching is a good idea for newly planted
trees. Can you share your experinece with me about mulching the
newly planted trees?
Another questioon I have is about fertilizing these trees. i
have applied the growth booster fetrtilizer. I mixed some of
the powdery stuff into water, and spread it around trees. Is
this enough for this year for my trees, or should I repeat the
fertilizing process? If you have any other suggestion on how to
take care of newly planted trees, please let me know.

thanks

Mulching trees is a good thing. It helps to moderate the
temperature of the soil and helps retain moisture. Do not let
the mulch touch the trunk. They may need supplemental watering
for the first few years depending on your local weather
conditions.
I have always recommended the same, but, surprisingly, a recent
article in the Journal of Arboriculture suggests otherwise:

"Survival of both species [green ash and goldenraintree] was usually
best when bare soil was used, compared to applications of pine bark
mulch. However, these plots were diligently maintained in a
weed-free condition via careful hand weeding (no string trimmers)
and use of herbicides. Mulches can be effective weed suppressants;
hence, under different weed control regimes, or with different
soils, environmental conditions, mulch types, or irrigation
regimes, responses to mulches may vary.

Our results document the potentially damaging effects on tree growth
and survival of planting even slightly below grade, particularly in
combination with excess pine bark mulch applications. These adverse
effects can persist for at least 3 years after transplanting
planting and, in many cases, differential response became more
pronounced over time."
from "Planting Depth and Mulch Thickness Affect Establishment of
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and Bougainvillea Goldenraintree
(Koelreuteria bipinnata)" By Michael A. Arnold et. al., J of A Vol
31, no. 4, pp.163-6

Please note that the primary focus of the study was planting depth,
and planting too deeply will take a much greater toll on a tree than
mulch. The gist of the study seemed to be that too much mulch had
roughly the same effect as too much soil (i.e., too deep), so if you
plant at grade or above the mulch may still be a good idea. Note
also that this is one recent study, whereas most of the industry has
accepted for some time as common knowledge that mulching new trees
is a good thing.

I also would like to stress that this was a study of new
transplants; even if it applies broadly to other species, it has
been demonstrated many times that an established landscape tree
will benefit greatly from mulching.

So, make sure you removed the burlap and string at planting, and
check to see if the root flares are visible at ground level.
Frequently, b&b trees have been buried too deeply, so it may be
necessary to remove some soil from the top of the ball to get to
the proper depth. Difficult though it may be, I would go so far as
to suggest digging it up and replanting it higher if it is too
deep. It is that important.

Then, depending on how much stock you want to put in this study and
how diligently you want to weed and irrigate, at least a thin layer
of mulch may be in your near future. After the tree is established
(if not before) get that up to 3" thick and cover as wide an area
as you are willing.

For more info on transplanting trees, visit www.treesaregood.com

good luck,
Keith Babberney
ISA Certified Arborist #TX-236

The discussion you cite is about below grade planting and excessive pine
bark mulching.

I was talking about proper planting and proper mulching.

--

Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington
USDA Zone 8
Sunset Zone 5