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CedarGroveCompost: how close to tree trunks? how big diameter?
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Posted by wynswrld98 z7 WA (My Page) on Mon, Nov 9, 09 at 20:18
| I made the mistake of putting coarse bark in all of my planters including right up to the base/trunks of all shrubs and trees. I have many fir/hemlock trees, flowering trees, flowering shrubs (many rhodies, camellias and others), etc. I have had reduced flowering and vigor from things and read that bark will leach nutrients from the soil and it raising the soil level near some shrubs like rhodies and camellias will reduce flowering.
I put the coarse bark around to keep the relentless weeds down (I live on an acre and weeding is a major problem with open soil).
What I plan to do is pull the bark away from the trees/shrubs and keep it in the open soil areas and add Cedar Grove Compost to the top of the soil near trees/shrubs to slowly give nutrients to the trees/shrubs, probably adding more annually.
Some questions...
#1 how far away (what diameter) should I pull bark away from the trees and shrubs?
#2 how close to the trunk of the tree/shrub should I put the compost? I understand putting it too close to the trunk is a bad idea re: rotting/oxygen/etc. but I don't know how far to keep it away. Also how big of a diameter of the compost should I do around the tree/shrub?
Thanks in advance!
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: CedarGroveCompost: how close to tree trunks? how big diamete
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- Posted by bboy USDA 8 Sunset 5 WA (My Page) on
Mon, Nov 9, 09 at 21:26
| Pull it back far enough that it will not get pushed back onto the bark again later. Does not matter what it is, burying stems of woody plants can produce problems. |
RE: CedarGroveCompost: how close to tree trunks? how big diamete
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- Posted by botann z8 SEof Seattle (My Page) on
Thu, Nov 12, 09 at 10:57
| Coarse bark is less effective for weed suppression than fine bark at an equal depth. OTOH, fine ground Hemlock bark will sometimes shed water when packed over time unless a texture is put on it. I have even poked holes in it with a pitch fork to allow water to seep into the ground. That's was when I was doing yard makeovers and new construction. Appropriate groundcovers should be planted and occasionally top dressed with compost to do the work of just a straight mulch. I prefer woodchips in my own garden. The price is right, and it looks more 'organic' than sterile looking bark. In a few cases I put down wood chips for a customer and then top dressed with bark for a more refined look. A bit more labor intensive, but the final product turns out looking nice. |
RE: CedarGroveCompost: how close to tree trunks? how big diamete
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- Posted by bboy USDA 8 Sunset 5 WA (My Page) on
Thu, Nov 12, 09 at 19:22
| I'd say that, like wood chips coarser bark particles would be more effective at suppressing weeds than fine ones. The finer the texture, the more like potting medium or soil a mulch is and the more suitable it is for germination of seedlings. Aged, medium to fine bark under trees used for perching by berry-eating birds may sprout little thickets of holly, Oregon grape, cotoneaster, firethorn etc. if not kept weeded. |
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