Mulching

[PlantSwap]

Like most folks in our area, we have mulch rings around the bases of our trees. Last Spring, I tilled the mulch ring around an Oak tree in our front yard that had not been previously disturbed for about 2 years (we just added new mulch every winter). The tree then took off last year with tremendous growth.

I don't know if it was because the tilling allowed the ground to breath better or just that the tree finally got established and happy, but I'm wondering if I should be tilling the mulch around all my trees and beds regularly. If so, how often?

Also, most of the larger trees in my yard have branches extending well beyond the radius of the mulch rings. If I were to extend the mulch to the drip line, there wouldn't be much grass left in the yard. At what point does the mulch ring become ineffective or pointless?

[txbeyer]

Mulching around the drip line is only recommended for very young trees during their "establishment" years to retain water and add natural nutrient to the root system.. Once a tree exceeds 6" diameter trunk, there is no longer any need to mulch around trees but you should keep the grass from encroaching against the bark to help avoid trimming damage to the trunk.

Tilling the mulch - well, never heard of that and don't think that had any bearing on the growth rate of your tree. I think the heavy rains during 2006 did more good for your trees than anything else.

Never, never, never, pile mulch around the trunk of a tree. This will cause cell differentiation and roots to form above the natural soil line - not good..