In the first 5 years of existence, a tree cannot tolerate underplanting that competes with the roots for water and nutrients. To prevent cunning weeds from spreading on a free tree slice, gardeners bridge the waiting time with mulch. This guide will inform you about the best options and give tips on how to skillfully mulch a tree slice.
How should you mulch a tree slice?
Tree slices are best covered with mulching material such as grass clippings, leaves, straw or bark mulch to prevent weeds. From early summer to autumn, a 3-5 cm thick layer of mulch is applied and renewed regularly. In winter the tree disc should remain free.
Suitable mulching material – the best options at a glance
Suitable mulching material is available in the home garden free of charge. Alternatively, specialist retailers offer inexpensive solutions that you can use to mulch a tree disc. The following overview presents recommended options:
- Grass clippings, leaves and straw
- Bark mulch, wood chips
- Nettle or comfrey leaves also protect against fungal attack
- Round coconut mats
- Leaf or bark compost for a supplementary nutrient supply
Black mulch film or plastic discs are ignored by ecologically oriented home gardeners and prefer natural materials.
Mulching tree slices from spring to winter – tried and tested instructions
Mulching a tree slice has the primary goal of keeping the root area free of weeds. Therefore, a layer of mulch is not required all year round, but only during the growing season. The following instructions summarize how you can properly mulch a tree slice throughout the seasons:
- Spring: Do not cover the tree disc so that it can warm up quickly
- Before the first mulching: pull weeds and loosen the soil superficially
- Early summer: from May/June spread a 3-5 cm layer of mulch on the root disc
- Summer: Renew mulch regularly
- Autumn: Clear the tree disc so that no voles hide in the mulch
The root disk remains exposed throughout the winter. Only on young trees that are sensitive to cold does a loose layer of leaves protect the root balls from frost. On mild days, rake the soil superficially to optimize oxygen supply to the roots. Please take this opportunity to check whether the tree disc is noticeably dry and whether it needs watering.
Tip
Before you find out about proper mulching, you should create the tree disc professionally. As a rule of thumb, the diameter of the tree disc and crown largely matches. A radius of 50 to 70 cm has proven to work well in practice on freshly planted trees. The tree disc is gradually enlarged in proportion to the growth of the crown so that the ratio is maintained.
