Just about any arborist and/or gardener that you ask will tell you, mulch is great stuff! It really helps plants grow by making the soil more root friendly. There are a few ways that happens.
First – what is mulch? It is anything that blankets the surface of the soil. It could be old blankets! There are two broad types of mulches – inorganic and organic. Both types can benefit the soil if they keep the sun from heating and drying it. Organic mulches provide more benefits, though, and don’t have the problems inorganic mulches have.
Gravel is the most common inorganic mulch. While natural in origin, rock doesn’t break down and feed the soil, and it often heats up the air around plants. This makes them use more water or suffer if they can’t. Ground up tires are for sale as a mulch – don’t use them!. Those add more heat than rock and release strange petrochemical breakdown products into the soil.
For perennial plants like trees and shrubs, organic mulches like wood chips, pecan shells, and even bark all have the benefit of slowly breaking down. While this means more needs to be added every few years, everything lost above ground is gained below. A complex ecosystem of organisms lives in and breaks down organic mulches, such as the cute bird’s nest fungi pictured below. That puts nutrients into the soil.
Legacy Tree loves to help your trees live well by helping your soil thrive. We are strong advocates for the benefits of mulch!
Contact us to find out more about our Albuquerque tree removal services.
