A good layer of mulch is one of the best gifts you can give a tree before a Nova Scotia winter, but piling it against the trunk does real harm. Here is how to get it right.
Mulch mounded high around the base, often called a mulch volcano, traps moisture against the bark and invites rot, insects, and rodents. Over time it can also encourage roots to circle the trunk instead of spreading outward.
The better approach is simple: spread 5 to 10 centimetres of shredded wood mulch in a wide ring out toward the drip line, and pull it back a hand's width from the trunk so the root flare stays visible. This insulates roots against freeze and thaw cycles and holds moisture through the spring.
Small habits like this add up to longer, healthier lives for trees in Sackville, Tantallon, Enfield, and across the HRM, which is exactly what plant health care is about.
#NovaScotiaTrees #TreeCareTips #Mulching #HRM #PlantHealthCare
Before and after photo of a tree base: a mulch volcano versus a properly spread mulch ring with the root flare exposed. Real HRM property photos preferred over stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Mulch Rings, Not Mulch Volcanoes" or "Keep the Root Flare Showing"