IS DAMAGING TREES

By SUSAN GAIL WOOD THE HERB SOCIETY OF AMERICA, SOUTH TEXAS UNIT herbsociety-stu.org

Think of these natural root flares as the tree’s feet. Smothering the root flare with soil or mulch limits the amount of oxygen that the tree needs in this area.

2 Mulch should be applied starting a foot or more away from the tree trunk, depending on the age and size of your tree. Old oaks may need five feet or more clear of mulch.

• “Morton Arboretum Mulch” — YouTube video.

• Howard Garrett, aka “The Dirt Doctor” — YouTube video.

PROTECT ALL TREES – INCLUDING HERBAL TREES — In my own garden: bay trees, olive, avocado, peach, Mexican lime, and Meyer Improved lemon also outstanding. Almond verbena has grown taller than predicted with blossoms that bring the bees in droves. The ten-foot loblolly pine tree planted 15+/- years ago produces pine cones which contain pine nuts. Banana trees were rescued from a neighbor’s home before demolition. Scarlet buckeye is a tribute to my grandparents from the buckeye state. Pecans keep the squirrels happy. Sassafras tree leaves turn red in fall. Intriguing lime green blossoms appear in early spring before new leaves. Huge oaks bordering my property belong to neighbors; their acorns can be pulverized to make flour.

* * * NOTE: For Susan’s full article in the Nov. 2020 issue of The Herb Society of America, South Texas Unit: http://www.herbsociety-stu.org. Click on “About Us”, Click on “Newsletters”. Then click on Nov. 2020 newsletter for Volcano Mulching article. (Incorrect/Correct tree sketch from Morton Arboretum)