Down2Earth Landscape Design

🏡 Mulch can be a huge help around trees… but only when used the right way.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is the “mulch volcano,” where mulch is piled up against the trunk of a tree. It might look tidy, but it can actually cause problems over time by encouraging roots to grow into the mulch and inviting extra moisture, insects, and damage around the base of the tree.

🌳 Instead, think of mulch like a donut, not a mountain.

A simple rule to follow is the 3-3-3 method:

👉 3 inches deep
👉 3 feet wide
👉 3 inches away from the trunk

✨ That little gap around the trunk matters. It helps protect the tree while still giving you the benefits of mulch: cooler soil, better moisture retention, fewer weeds, and less chance of mower or weed-whipper damage.

🎧 Catch the full Down the Garden Path episode of "Why Do Gardens Need Mulch?" on your favourite podcast app, or watch it on the Down the Garden Path Podcast YouTube channel.