About Tree Mulch
Tree branches can be recycled into high quality garden mulch
Mulch is not a waste product, but and extremely valuable component of the natural cycle in your garden. Mulching to a depth of 100mm (4inches) will suppress most weed growth. Thin layers of mulch (less than 20mm) can actually encourage some weed growth, but if the mulch is placed any deeper than 100mm thick, anaerobic soil conditions may result.
Mulch will reduce the diversity of weeds in a garden. Only the hardiest weeds will be able to grow through 100mm of mulch and they are then easily removed.
By reducing weed infestation, water stress on preferred plants is reduced.
Mulch can also decrease irrigation needs through increased moisture retention.
Soil fertility and soil humus levels can be increased.
Unlike many salt or chemical based fertilizers, the release of nutrients from mulch brake down is slow. This is natures’ own slow release fertilizer. Other natural fertilizers maybe used in conjunction with mulch as they can help to reduce any nitrogen draw down that the break down of the chip may temporarily produce. We suggest dynamic lifter to maintain nitrogen levels.
Mulch can actually increase soil aeration by providing food for soil organisms. The term for soil organisms turning over the soil is pedoturbation. Earthworms are the principal agents in mixing the dead surface organic matter deeper throughout the soil. This mixing then makes it more accessible to other soil microorganisms. The tunnels created by the humble earth worm help to increase gas exchange through the soil strata.
Mulch can increase micro flora and fauna activity which is beneficial to plant roots. Mulch can be used to reduce soil erosion and to help stabilize soils as the protective cover can slow wind and water erosion.
Mulch can help to even out soil temperature extremes so that roots do not cook in summer and freeze in winter.
Mulch can reduce the effects of compaction in pedestrian or vehicle paths. Mulch should be topped up at the end of spring frosts each year to maintain optimum benefit and result in healthier, more vigorous trees.