Soil compaction is a common issue affecting countless trees, especially those in high traffic areas such as parks and yards. Because of the foot traffic around the tree, soil in the tree root zone becomes compact, making it difficult for air, nutrients, and water penetrate the root system.
Vertical mulching is a process used to treat compacted soil around the tree root zone. A quick and effective process, vertical mulching resolves issues caused by soil compaction, ensuring long-term optimal tree health.
What is Vertical Mulching?
Vertical mulching involves removing small plugs of soil around a tree root zone, typically 3-8 feet from the tree base. The process involves creating dozens of holes in a grid pattern around the tree root zone, reducing soil compaction while improving aeration.
These holes are then filled with pea gravel, sand, peatmoss, compost or mulch for added nutrition within the root zone.
The Benefits of Vertical Mulching
Vertical mulching offers many advantages for tree health, improving the overall condition of the tree root zone.
For example, by digging small vertical holes around the root zone, vertical mulching greatly reduces soil compaction. When soil is too compact, tree roots struggle to receive air, water, and nutrients, so the process ensures that roots have the ideal conditions for optimal growth and development.
When trees receive the right amount of water and air, roots are much stronger and healthier, resulting in more growth and fewer health issues for the tree. Foliage becomes thicker and more vibrant, while the tree is less susceptible to disease and environmental stresses.
Also, by adding mulch or compost into the holes, tree roots receive more nutrition, further improving feeder root development and tree health.
Water infiltration is also improved by vertical mulching. During dry seasons, water often struggles to penetrate deep into the root system due to soil compaction. With improved aeration from vertical mulching, water easily penetrates deeper into the roots, ensuring optimal health during drier seasons.
Conversely, vertical mulching improves aeration during wet seasons. If soil is too compact during wetter periods, the water may build up around the roots, restricting airflow. Vertical mulching resolves this issue!
Finding the Right Vertical Mulching Service
It’s recommended that you speak with a qualified arborist before proceeding with vertical mulching! Your tree may have specific requirements, so it’s important to understand its needs to ensure the best results from the vertical mulching.
Good Guys Tree Service has a wealth of experience with vertical mulching, completing the process for countless trees in our local area. We understand the common signs of soil compaction and how to best improve tree and root health with vertical mulching.
Get in touch today for more information about our vertical mulching service!
