Getting Rid of Volcano Mulch Mounds

Recently we removed mulch mounds (a.k.a. Volcano Mounds) around trees in our customer's lawns. Our goal is to provide a better environment for trees to grow in. A more natural environment. An environment that allows trees to breathe, keep their protective armor (bark) strong, and an environment with healthy soil that feeds healthy trees.

Pictures below of trees are shown with approval from our customers. 

THE PROBLEM?

  THE MULCH MOUND!

MULCH MOUNDS - THE FACTS

• BURIED BENEATH THE MOUND IS THE ROOT FLARE (NOT VISIBLE IN THE PICTURE ABOVE).
  

  THE ROOT FLARE IS THE PART OF THE TREE THAT BREATHES. MULCH MOUNDS INHIBIT OXYGEN SUPPLY.
• MULCH MOUNDS CAUSE STRESS IN TREES MAKING THEM MORE VULNERABLE TO DISEASE AND PEST INFESTATIONS.

• BECAUSE MULCH MOUNDS ARE LESS DENSE THAN CLAY SOILS ABOVE GROUND, SUPERFICIAL 
  ROOTS CALLED ADVENTITIOUS ROOTS GROW IN THE MOUND (ROOTS FOLLOW THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE). 

• ADVENTITIOUS ROOTS CAN BECOME GIRDLING ROOTS THAT CAN STRANGLE A TREE. 

• MULCH MOUNDS HOLD MOISTURE AGAINST THE BARK OF THE TREE. THIS MOISTURE CAN ROT THE BARK, CAUSE IT TO SPLIT OPEN AND PROVIDE AN OPENING FOR DISEASE AND PESTS TO ENTER THE TREE. BARK IS THE PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR THE TREE. MULCH MOUNDS ARE GOOD FOR REMOVING THIS PROTECTIVE COVERING!

CERTIFIED ARBORISTS RECOMMEND MULCH MOUND REMOVAL

"Removing volcano mulch and soil piled against the trunk is critical to promoting tree health and decreasing the opportunity for insects, rodents, disease, and fungus to negatively impact the tree. The general recommendation is to put a 2-4 inch layer of mulch over as much of the root zone as possible/practical, but 1 inch of compost and 2 inches of mulch is a good practice as well. Amending the root zone soil is one of the most beneficial tree care practices."

Wes Kocher

ISA Certified Arborist

Tree Risk Assessment Qualified

WHAT'S UNDER THE MOUND THAT IS HARMFUL TO THE TREE

Above Ground Adventitious Roots. Notice the circling pattern of the small hairlike roots near the trunk. These roots will continue to wrap around the tree and grow larger. Notice one of these roots has already wrapped itself  around the trunk of the tree. This will become a girdling root over time and could be catastrophic to the tree. As long as the mulch mound remains the customer would never know that the girdling root is growing around the trunk of the tree and slowly shortening it's life. Once the mulch mound is removed we carefully remove adventitious roots and girdling roots. 

Notice indentation in the flare (at the base of the trunk) of the tree (looks like a horizontal line)  made by an Adventitious Root (root was removed). The adventitious root would have continued to press downward against the flare, putting the tree in further stress

Splitting bark where mulch mound held moisture against tree. Notice line where mulch mound was covering bark (note difference in color to distinguish where mulch mound ended). Once mulch mound is removed, bark can dry out and better protect the inside of the tree. 

Above ground level roots. Some roots growing above the base of the tree. Not a good situation!

A mess! What can be happening beneath the Mulch Mound Volcano. 

SAFE REMOVAL OF MULCH MOUNDS

Because of all the roots growing beneath the mound, mulch and dirt must be carefully removed. No shovels or trowels should be used which could hit roots and damage the tree. 

OUR TOOLS 

Diesel Powered Air Compressor

Air Spade (connected to Diesel Compressor). Blows directed force of air (1200 mph) into the mound and fractures the soil. Will not harm roots!

Click the following YouTube Video link that shows our air spade in action removing a mulch mound around a customer's tree:

 Air Spade in Action

THE RESULTS

Root Flare Exposed.
Tree can now breathe much better. Bark will remain dry and protect the tree. 

Soil Amendments are added to the tree ring followed by a THIN layer of  native mulch. No more mulch mounds!