i was wondering what the general opinion of the forum is
about the "best " type of mulch to assist trees in decline
and/or trees in general.
if you use wood chips is it better to use fines from tub
ground trees and branches or are normal chips ok? is it
best to let these products compost for a year or so prior
to use?
how about spent mushroom compost?
spoiled lucerne hay?
garden compost?
your opinions and any supporting references would be
greatly appreciated
mark lutherborrow

Reply to post by mark lutherborrow, on February 10, 2000 at 05:10:03:

Hi Mark --

There are lots of questions there! I would suggest you first check the following references:

-- Shigo, New Tree Biology Dictionary
-- Harris/Matheny/Clark, Arboriculture
-- good article by Gleason/Iles in American Nurseryman, 15 Feb 98

There are also extension factsheets available on the topic in most states that can be found by calling or through a good search engine on the web. Cornell has a useful one by Don Rakow, The Types and Uses of Mulch in the Landscape.

I have followed Shigo's advice with good luck, using partially composted twigs and leaves that often can be gotten free from municipal sources. The partial composting is important because of the high-N demand of the microbial bloom that follows the application of fresh organic mulch.

Hope this helps.