A tall cone of mulch piled against a trunk looks tidy, but it quietly works against the tree. You see this mulch volcano all over San Antonio yards.
Mulch heaped against the bark traps moisture where the trunk needs to stay dry. That leads to rot, invites insects and disease, and encourages roots to grow up into the mulch instead of down into the soil. Over time, those circling roots can strangle the tree.
The fix is simple. Pull the mulch back a few inches from the trunk so the root flare shows, and spread it in a wide, flat ring instead of a cone. Think doughnut, not volcano. A two to three inch layer is plenty for San Antonio landscapes.
A quick check of your mulch this week can add years to a tree's life.
#TreeCare #TreeHealth #SanAntonio #Mulching
A side-by-side of a mulch volcano versus a proper flat mulch ring with the root flare visible. Real yard examples preferred over stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Doughnut, Not Volcano" or "Keep Mulch Off the Trunk"