In the garden: Researching mulch “volcanoes”

Our friends at Casey Trees are doing research on volcanoes.

These volcanoes have nothing to do with lava, or super-heated ash. But they can be harmful to trees. Casey has partnered with Bartlett Trees Research Laboratories to study the dangers of volcano mulching, so-called for the shape the mulch takes when piled up against the trunk.

Mulch “volcanoes” are a gardening no-no. We also wrote about them here.

In an August 5th blog post, Casey Trees notes there is widespread agreement among forestry experts and arborists about the harms: “bark decay, root suffocation, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases,” but at the same time, “there has been a surprising lack of comprehensive scientific research on the subject.”

The research on the long-term effects of volcano mulching is being conducted on 50 Yoshino cherries and 50 tulip poplars at the Casey Tree Farm in Berryville, Virginia.

Young trees still need water

Casey Trees also takes a scientific approach to the young trees it’s responsible for watering. According to its September 3rd blog post:

We use GIS analysis to gather data on our past plantings and assess various environmental factors. This analysis allows us to identify which trees are most in need of water and assign priority. Armed with this information, our field crew strategically divides their efforts, covering different parts of the District to maximize the impact of our watering efforts.

Once a new street tree is planted outside homes and apartment buildings, ensuring its survival becomes the homeowner or landlord’s responsibility. And for the next three years, it needs to be watered during the warmer months. Casey advises watering weekly well into the fall, and stopping only when the trees enter dormancy.