Mulch - Page 3

Posted by norminn@earthlink.net on October 17, 2009, 3:37 pm

Jim Elbrecht wrote:

> On Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:02:08 -0400, "norminn@earthlink.net"
>

>> Jim Elbrecht wrote:

> -snip-

>>> That was my thought--- Some disease or chemical in the mulch. "Bark
>>> mulch" covers a whole lot of different materials.
>>> Jim

>> Kind of hard to imagine bark mulch containing sufficient chemicals to
>> harm a tree...s'pose anything is possible :o)

>
> Imagine this. . . Power crew treats right-of-way with herbicide.
> After everything is dead a clean up crew mulches it up so the brush
> doesn't create a fire hazard. Homeowner says "Free mulch" and
> throws a couple pickup loads on his prize rhododendron.
>
> Jim

Wellllll....you don't treat an area with herbicide and then immediately
cut the brush you intend to kill with the herbicide. If herbicide is
used, it would break down before new growth would come along. And bark
mulch is typically pine bark, waste from mills.

Posted by aemeijers on October 17, 2009, 5:14 pm

norminn@earthlink.net wrote:

> Jim Elbrecht wrote:

>> On Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:02:08 -0400, "norminn@earthlink.net"

>>> Jim Elbrecht wrote:

>> -snip-

>>>> That was my thought--- Some disease or chemical in the mulch. "Bark
>>>> mulch" covers a whole lot of different materials.
>>>> Jim
>>> Kind of hard to imagine bark mulch containing sufficient chemicals to
>>> harm a tree...s'pose anything is possible :o)

>> Imagine this. . . Power crew treats right-of-way with herbicide.
>> After everything is dead a clean up crew mulches it up so the brush
>> doesn't create a fire hazard. Homeowner says "Free mulch" and
>> throws a couple pickup loads on his prize rhododendron.
>> Jim

>
> Wellllll....you don't treat an area with herbicide and then immediately
> cut the brush you intend to kill with the herbicide. If herbicide is
> used, it would break down before new growth would come along. And bark
> mulch is typically pine bark, waste from mills.

What about the dye they color it with? Around here, all the pre-bagged
mulch seems to be red or gray. (Not that I mulch, mind you. Just curious.)

--
aem sends...

Posted by norminn@earthlink.net on October 17, 2009, 5:35 pm

aemeijers wrote:

> norminn@earthlink.net wrote:

>> Jim Elbrecht wrote:

>>> On Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:02:08 -0400, "norminn@earthlink.net"
>>>> Jim Elbrecht wrote:
>>> -snip-
>>>>> That was my thought--- Some disease or chemical in the mulch. "Bark
>>>>> mulch" covers a whole lot of different materials.
>>>>> Jim
>>>> Kind of hard to imagine bark mulch containing sufficient chemicals
>>>> to harm a tree...s'pose anything is possible :o)
>>> Imagine this. . . Power crew treats right-of-way with herbicide.
>>> After everything is dead a clean up crew mulches it up so the brush
>>> doesn't create a fire hazard. Homeowner says "Free mulch" and
>>> throws a couple pickup loads on his prize rhododendron.
>>> Jim

>> Wellllll....you don't treat an area with herbicide and then
>> immediately cut the brush you intend to kill with the herbicide. If
>> herbicide is used, it would break down before new growth would come
>> along. And bark mulch is typically pine bark, waste from mills.

>
> What about the dye they color it with? Around here, all the pre-bagged
> mulch seems to be red or gray. (Not that I mulch, mind you. Just curious.)
>
> --
> aem sends...

The only colored mulch I am aware of is shredded cypress...bark? Don't
recall ever seeing colored bark. There is always red lava rock, which
is hideous.

I like natural colors, and have used shredded cypress. I like it best,
but don't like the thought of sacrificing cypress trees. Shredded
leaves are great, especially for acid-loving plants. Something that is
ideal for permanent plantings is river rock on top of landscape cloth.
No trees to sacrifice, no chemicals, allows moisture to reach plants and
is a natural product. In some areas around our condo where I put in
some delicate plants, I put a potted plant into the ground first, put
landscape cloth and rock around it - these are relatively small so that
I can just pull the pot to bring them indoors if it freezes here. For
larger plants, can still use the pot so's the rock and l.c. aren't
disturbed if I want to change plantings.

Posted by Tony on October 17, 2009, 2:22 pm

trader4@optonline.net wrote:

>> Van Chocstraw wrote:

>>> Can bark mulch kill or turn fur tree branches brown?

>> I would doubt it. Although the most common mistake people make with
>> mulch is to pile it high around the trunk. That makes a perfect place
>> for insects to boar into the bark and that can kill the tree. Mulch
>> should not touch the base of the trunk.

>
> Are people doing the volcano pile high mulch thing everywhere now?

Yes, I think it's everywhere now.

>> Here in NJ it's become the common thing over the last decade or so.

When I was still in PA, I had seen it since the 80's. Maybe earlier?

Here is a cute little story about humans and nature:

http://www.kairoscambrianagassiz.org/laugh.htm

Posted by ransley on October 17, 2009, 12:48 pm

wrote:

> Can bark mulch kill or turn fur tree branches brown?

My fur tree branches are always brown, alot of needles normaly go
brown this time of year and fall, bark much wont hurt or kill a tree.

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