Hi!
I just moved into a new house and we have this beauty in the back yard! The roots are coming up in some spots, but I want to make sure it stays healthy and happy.
Is there any maintenance I need to be doing here? Adding soil, mulch, etc. Can I add some sort of ground cover (clover, grass, pachysandra, whatever) or will that damage the tree?
Thanks in advance for any advice 🙂
by Familiar-Positive210
3 Comments
Never add soil to exposed roots, once they are above the surface for more than a month or so they adapt and change, lose the ability to cope with the moisture levels underground. Putting dirt back on them will cause the roots to rot, same with thick mulch. A thin layer of mulch 1-4 inches thick however can help protect them from equipment and people tripping, plus feed some nutrients as it decays. Not raking the leaves under it will provide the same benefits as well. Just as long as the roots can still get some airflow they’ll be fine
Roots coming up in some spots is no problem, just don’t actually mow them or hit them with a weed whacker. You can add ground cover but the grass isn’t going to do well in full shade as you can see.
The easiest and best option for the tree is to mulch all the area where you see the grass isn’t doing well. Just leave 6in around the entire tree mulch free as it is now.
Free Arborist Wood Chips from chip drop, 4″ thick, not touching the trunk.