Pine trees/with mulch at bottom

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
LavinaMae Grantsboro, NC(Zone 8b) Jul 09, 2007

I have been told its not good to pile up your pine mulch at the bottom of the pine trees. Anyone know if it does harm to the trees?

Lavina

Post #3715413
Quote
Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Jul 09, 2007

Put the mulch in a thin layer (not more than 5-10cm thick) over a wide area, not heaped up against the trunk. It is best if the mulch doesn't quite touch the trunk at all, leaving a small bare gap to discourage rodents from getting up to where they can chew the bark (the gap leaves them exposed to the view of predators, which the rodents don't like).

Resin

Post #3715463
Quote
escambiaguy Atmore, AL(Zone 8b) Jul 10, 2007

I started using those rubber circle mats made from recycled tires. I find them so much easier to maintain than mulch.

Lavina, did those Longleaf seedlings survive that I sent you?

Post #3717075
Quote
snapple45 Holland, OH(Zone 5b) Jul 10, 2007

Re: the rubber circle mats - Does the ground underneath get any hotter than if mulched with something biodegradeable?

Post #3717436
Quote
escambiaguy Atmore, AL(Zone 8b) Jul 10, 2007

Snapple, I have never really checked the ground temperature beneath them. I bought the reddish colored ones (same color as red mulch) and my trees don't seem to mind them. There is a fabric like material on the bottom which probably helps. Grass will actually try to grow over them, but about once a month I just pick up on the edges so the grass is forced under them and smothered.

The only bad thing I have noticed is that ants like to congregate under them, but ants are everywhere around here.

Post #3717589
Quote
LavinaMae Grantsboro, NC(Zone 8b) Jul 10, 2007

I have one tree that survived and I stil owe you postage and will get it to you before frost.
This has been a crazy year.
Our place at the coast has pine tress that have about a 5 foot circle of pine straw piled up around them. We have been told this is not good. so we can't decide if we should move some of the pine staw or not.
Wish my picture program was working correctly so I could post pictures for you all to see.
Lavina

Post #3717958
Quote
Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Jul 10, 2007

Quoting:
Our place at the coast has pine tress that have about a 5 foot circle of pine straw piled up around them. We have been told this is not good. so we can't decide if we should move some of the pine staw or not.

Yep, you want to pull it away from touching the trunk, and make sure it isn't too thick anywhere.

Resin

Post #3718043
Quote
escambiaguy Atmore, AL(Zone 8b) Jul 10, 2007

LOL, don't worry about the postage. I had forgotten I had even sent them to you until I saw your thread.

I do see mature pines in peoples yards here that have mounds of pine straw like that. It looks like a pine beetle haven to me. It's not very natural, since pines are adapted to having periodic fires to "clean" the forest floor.

Post #3718575
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Trees, Shrubs and Conifers Threads

Go to all Trees, Shrubs and Conifers threads
BACK TO TOP