Mulch heaped high against tree trunks across Frederick County lawns can slowly rot bark and weaken trees.
Bark is meant to stay dry. Mulch piled against the trunk holds moisture there, softening bark and inviting rot, fungal disease, and damage from voles and mice that nest in the pile over winter. Deep mulch can also draw roots upward to circle the trunk, where they may eventually girdle the tree.
Proper mulching keeps the root flare visible, where the trunk widens as it meets the ground. Two to four inches of mulch spread in a wide, donut-shaped ring, with a few inches of open space around the trunk, protects roots without trapping moisture against the bark. Fall is a good time to correct mulch volcanoes, before rodents settle into the piles for winter.
Watts Tree Experts brings local knowledge of Maryland landscapes to tree care, trimming, and removal for homeowners in Frederick, Thurmont, and surrounding communities.
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A real side-by-side of a mulch volcano piled against a trunk next to a properly mulched tree with a visible root flare. A local yard photo works best; a simple Canva graphic showing volcano vs. donut is a good fallback. Authentic photos of real Watts Tree Experts crews and job sites are strongly preferred over stock images.
Canva text suggestion: "Mulch Donuts, Not Mulch Volcanoes" or "Keep the Root Flare Visible"