What is vertical mulching? Pro Tree of Knoxville handles that question regularly during its expert tree services in Clinton, TN, and around East Tennessee. The method is especially beneficial in high-traffic areas or where construction or vehicles have compacted soil, but vertical mulching is also a pretty specialized maintenance technique.
Read on to learn about how this type of mulching improves soil conditions in and around a tree’s root system and brings a few other benefits, too.
How Vertical Mulching Works
What is vertical mulching? Tree care experts like Pro Tree of Knoxville will use their professional tools and techniques to perform this simple yet effective mulching method as follows:
- Drilling holes. A tree expert drills holes between 2 and 4 inches in diameter and about 12 to 24 inches deep in a grid pattern above and around your tree’s root zone.
- Backfilling with organic materials. The arborist fills the holes with targeted, nutrient-rich materials like compost, sand, or biochar.
- Strategic placement. After identifying the tree’s drip line, the arborist implements vertical mulching at the roots, precisely where they seek water and nutrients.
Benefits of Vertical Mulching
Vertical mulching promotes good tree health in several ways.
Alleviates Soil Compaction
Compacted soil restricts the natural flow of air, water, and nutrients to and around your tree’s root system. Vertical mulching breaks up those compacted layers, creating a more porous and oxygenated soil structure.
Improves Tree Root Health
Healthy roots are essential for robust tree growth. Vertical mulching supports overall tree root health by providing better access to respiration and nutrient uptake. Healthier roots mean a more resilient, stable tree.
Enhances Aeration Techniques
Vertical mulching introduces aeration techniques that deliver oxygen directly to the root zone. Direct access is especially beneficial in clay-heavy soils, which are common in Clinton and around East Tennessee.
Boosts Nutrient Enrichment
Tree experts deliver nutrient enrichment to trees by filling the mulching holes with organic materials. Essential nutrients, like nitrogen and potassium, become readily available to your tree’s roots.
Promotes Water Infiltration
Water absorption often becomes a serious problem in compacted soils. Vertical mulching enhances water infiltration that penetrates deep into the root zone rather than flooding the area. As a result, vertical mulching is especially good during drought conditions.
Root Growth Promotion
Loosening compacted soil helps roots to grow in a natural manner. Every tree species develops faster and more robustly in vertically mulched soil.
Choose Pro Tree of Knoxville for Professional Vertical Mulching
Pro Tree of Knoxville specializes in innovative tree care solutions like vertical mulching. You can read our blog for more information on other arboriculture topics like the causes of tree holes. Alternatively, call us if you see any of these warning signs in your trees:
- Stunted growth or leaf discoloration
- Compacted or clay-heavy soils
- Poor water absorption and drainage
What is vertical mulching? Now that you have a better idea of the answer, count on our friendly arborists for the best tree care available in Tennessee. Call Pro Tree of Knoxville at (865) 294-0062 today to help your trees reach their full potential!