If there's one simple thing San Antonio homeowners can do right now to protect their trees heading into the heat of summer, it's mulching. A proper mulch ring does things that watering alone can't: it holds soil moisture, moderates root zone temperature, and breaks down slowly to improve the compacted caliche-heavy soils that are common across the San Antonio area.
The right way to mulch a tree isn't complicated, but it is specific. Spread 3 to 4 inches of wood chip mulch in a ring out to the drip line (the outer edge of the canopy). Keep it a few inches away from the actual trunk. Mulch piled against the bark, what's sometimes called a "mulch volcano," traps moisture against the trunk and creates a perfect environment for rot and insect activity. It looks tidy from a distance but it's one of the more common things we see that causes slow, long-term damage.
In South Texas, this matters more than in cooler climates. Bare soil in full sun can reach temperatures that damage shallow feeder roots. A good mulch layer acts like insulation for your root system during July and August when soil temperatures get punishing.
If you're not sure how your trees are mulched, take a look at the base this week. Call 210-251-4232 or visit texastreeauthority.com if you want an arborist to walk your property and give you honest, specific guidance. Have you ever been told your mulching was done wrong, or discovered a mulch volcano you didn't realize was a problem?
#SanAntonioTrees #TreeHealth
Before-and-after of a properly mulched tree ring, or an in-progress photo of mulch being applied around a mature tree. If possible, show a job photo from a San Antonio-area property. Avoid images of mulch volcanoes (the thing we're warning against) as the primary visual.
Canva text suggestion: "Mulch Right, Protect Your Roots" or "3–4 Inches Out to the Drip Line"