How “Mulch” Does Mulch Help?

Sure, you’ve heard about mulch. It’s … stuff … that you put on the ground, right? And it helps plants, you’re sure about that one. But how? What is it? And do you really need it? Today, we’re going to answer all your questions and more. Settle in; let’s talk Mulch 101.

What Exactly Is Mulch?

Part of the reason for the confusion surrounding mulch is that it can mean many things. The word mulch simply refers to a layer of material that is applied to the top of the soil as a protective layer. It can be leaf litter, bark chips, shredded bark, compost, or other products that insulate and hold in moisture. The difference is that, unlike a soil amendment that you work into the dirt, mulch remains on top.

Why Mulch?

Well, we gave it away in that last sentence: Mulch is all about keeping heat and water in. When applied, mulch makes it easier for trees and shrubs to stay hydrated, because it’s less likely the water will evaporate from the soil.

Plus, the natural decomposition of organic material gives off heat, which keeps the ground warm. In addition to preventing the heat loss that would otherwise occur with uncovered soil, this keeps delicate surface roots extra warm during cold months. That’s why mulch is so commonly laid down in the fall.

It also smothers weeds, prevents compaction of the soil, and protects tender roots from hostile attacks by nature and overzealous lawn mowers.

How Much Mulch Are We Talkin’?

So how much? Arbor Day recommends clearing the grass from around the base of your tree in a 3- to 10-foot area, then applying mulch in a 2- to 4-inch-deep layer. After application, be sure to learn proper watering practices, Arbor Day advises, because otherwise, mulch will just help you drown your tree. No Bueno.

Call in the Mulch Magnates

Not sure you have what it takes to become the mulch maven your trees need? That’s cool. Give us a call here at Premier Tree Solutions, a growing tree removal business based in Atlanta, Georgia. We specialize in all your tree-related services, including trimming and pruning, storm cleanup, stump grinding, branch clearing, debris removal, and great news, WE CAN DELIVER FREE MULCH!

Give us a call at 404-252-6448 or contact us here and find out more about how “mulch” we can help you!

Trees: An Oxygen Tank for Mother Earth

Breathing: kind of important, right? Unfortunately, with myriad sources continually releasing chemicals and poisons into the air, not to mention the increasing rate of deforestation, the simple act of breathing is becoming more and more difficult.  

Trees can help us there, counteracting ground pollution and an increasingly damaged atmosphere. Think of them as an oxygen tank or a rescue inhaler for the Earth, helping to deal with the increasing levels of “asthma” that affect our world.

How Do Trees Improve the Environment?

Most people know that trees produce oxygen, injecting this life-giving gas into the atmosphere with every exhale (yes, trees exhale!). In fact, according to North Carolina State University, a large tree can produce enough oxygen every day for four people to breathe.

Trees provide another important service as well, and that’s managing carbon dioxide. All plants breathe in carbon dioxide, and trees are no exception. Even more importantly, they then store it in the ground, a process known as carbon sequestration. This takes carbon out of the air, helping reduce the greenhouse effect and global warming as a whole.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Habitat (or Your Favorite Squirrel’s)

Moreover, trees provide habitat for animals of all shapes and sizes. They even provide many other plants a place to call home, as ferns, mosses, and seedlings grow on their branches or in the little pockets formed by branching limbs. Each tree added to the biome helps to make up for those that are being removed at a rapid rate to make room for housing, pasture, and other human pursuits.

In other words, trees work endlessly to improve their surrounding environment and increase the quality of life for all of us who live here on this Third Rock from the Sun.

Want to Do Your Part? Plant Trees

If you care about helping the Earth, your family, and yourself, there’s one simple thing you can do: plant trees. Of course, it’s easier said than done to properly plant then nurture and care for a tree, which is where Premier Tree Solutions comes in.

We’re a growing tree removal business based in Atlanta, Georgia, and we specialize in all things arboreal. We not only help with removal, but our services also include pruning and trimming, handling emergency storm damage, clean up, and assisting with branch clearing, stump grinding, and debris removal. No matter what you need to beautify your landscape, we can help – so get in touch today. Give us a call at 404-252-6448 or contact us here.

BE A GEORGIA TREE KNOW-IT-ALL: Black Cherry

Get to know Georgia’s beautiful array of trees and how you can take care of your own! Each month, we feature some of the most popular trees in the state. We are showcasing the Black Cherry. Learn all about the Black Cherry tree below!

Characteristics

The Black Cherry tree produces little yellow-white cylindrical pendulums in May and dark purple to blackberries in August. Also known as the Prunus serotina, the Black Cherry tree grows to 70-80 feet and has a mature spread of 30 feet wide when in open, sunny and moist soil locations.

Landscape Uses

The tree is not recommended for planting in lawns because the berries tend to be messy. In addition, while the mature wood is very hard (often used in furniture-making), the new wood at the highest branches is soft and susceptible to storm damage.

Black Cherry Care

It’s best to prune the Black Cherry tree after the berries have fallen. Because the seeds germinate so easily, this tree can quickly invade lawns, borders, forests and even bushes. That’s right: It can grow from a seedling even in the underbrush! It prefers deep, moist, rich soil of varying pH levels but will tolerate poorer soils and drought once established.

Signs of Distress

Common Black Cherry tree characteristics include rot, spot and knot diseases. Trees can also get blight, canker and powdery mildew.

For pruning and trimming service — for your Black Cherry or any other tree — reach out to us online or give us a call at 404.252.6448.