To keep your trees happy and healthy this summer, make sure you properly mulch them! According to the Arbor Day Foundation, proper mulching helps:

• Insulate the soil and protects the tree roots from extreme temperatures
• Retains moisture so you don’t have to water as often during hot-spells
• Protects the tree from lawn mower damage and soil compaction
• Limits weed competition

To properly mulch, simply follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Remove grass up to a 3-foot diameter (or 10 feet for larger trees)
2. Poor natural mulch, like wood chips or bark pieces, 2-4 inches deep.
3. Make sure not to “volcano” mulch, or pile mulch along the base of the trunk. Creating a “donut-hole” around the trunk allows the tree to breathe and excess moisture escape.

Figure 1 Source: Morton Arboretum

For more tips on how to properly mulch and mulch materials, visit the Morton Arboretum.