As summer comes to an end, fall brings a new chill to the air.

While we will miss days spent on Chesapeake beaches and the warm, Bay breeze, IPC is excited to be ringing in a new season of tree plantings!

Healthy trees benefit both our congregations and communities by providing shade, cleaner air, and habitat for wildlife. Many congregations throughout the watershed are gearing up to plant trees as part of IPC's Trees for Sacred Places program, which is supported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

As we enter tree planting season, we are reminded that proper mulching is essential to ensuring planted trees grow healthy and strong. When we mulch around trees, we ensure their long-term growth by protecting roots, retaining moisture, and improving soil quality. Proper mulching (such as leaving space between the mulch and tree trunk) plays a vital role in nurturing trees and ensuring their health, and is a simple yet powerful way to care for Creation. In contrast, improper mulching (such as the “volcano” shown in the images below) can lead to an increased risk of disease or pests.

If you have a tree planting scheduled for this fall, or are looking forward to planting trees in an upcoming season, read on to learn some "do's and don'ts" to set your trees up for success!

Mulching "Do's"

• Leave about three inches of space between the tree trunk and mulch. Make sure that mulch is not touching the trunk of the tree. 
• Much in a wide, even layer around the tree. Mulch should ideally be spread to the dripline of the tree. 
• Mulch shallow - mulch should be around one to three inches deep. 
• Remove any existing synthetic landscape fabric around existing planted trees that are being re-mulched. 
• Replace organic mulch as-needed, as it decomposes over time. Maintaining a three-inch layer of mulch can help retain moisture and prevent [over]growth of unwanted plants around the tree. 

Mulching "Don’ts"

• Do not mulch up to the base of the tree trunk! Mulch piled right up to the base of the trunk may retain moisture, potentially causing rot at the base of the tree trunk. This can be an entry point for disease and pests. 
• Avoid creating a mulch “volcano” around your tree. A mulch volcano touches the trunk of the tree and typically exceeds three-inches in depth. 
• Do not over-mulch. Adding too much mulch (more than three inches) around your tree can provide a home for insects and voles, which harm trees. Likewise, excessive mulch can cause temperatures around root zones to be too warm or cool, depending on the season. 

Photo courtesy of our technical partner, Casey Trees

As you take on planting and mulching trees this Fall, consider that the act of mulching symbolizes something greater: it represents laying down a healthy foundation for growth. As we protect and nourish trees throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, we are reminded that the smallest acts of service can be the greatest acts of care. 

If you are looking to learn more about how to plant a tree, check out IPC's "How to Care for Your Trees" Learning Lab!