Can bark mulch be used around tree trunks

Spreading bark mulch beneath trees is not only permissible but often recommended, provided a few rules are obeyed. The mulch acts as an insulating blanket, levelling soil temperature and conserving moisture that would otherwise vanish on a hot, gusty afternoon. It also discourages lawn mowers and strimmers from bruising the trunk, an injury more deadly than many realise.

Yet bark must not smother the stem itself. Pile the material in a shallow saucer shape, three to five centimetres thick, allowing the root flare to remain exposed. If mulch is heaped like a volcano against the bark, moisture will cling, rot may set in and opportunistic rodents find easy lodgings. Renew the layer once a year, removing only the sodden, matted portion and lightly forking the rest to revive airflow.

Texture matters. Finely shredded grades knit into a neat carpet, ideal for young fruit whips that need steady moisture, whereas chunky nuggets suit mature oaks where longevity is preferable. AHS LTD offers both options, making it straightforward to match tree age and bed size. Apply on a still, damp morning so the chips settle, then stand back; the canopy will repay the gesture with fresher leaves and sturdier growth.