Travis wrote:
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.

Oops. I thought I had read your whole post. Sorry.

--

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