MULCH CASE STUDY

Watch our mulch case study video. With this tree we chose gravel over wood due to flammability concerns. Learn more about mulch and fire.

To give our ring a crisp look, we centered a piece of string at the tree trunk to scribe a perfect circle at the drip line of the tree. We then dug a nine inch deep x one foot wide trench then back filled it with topsoil and 3/4” gravel. The gravel improves percolation and aeration, and guides water down and around the circumference of the tree. To add visual interest we used smaller 3/8” gravel inside the trench ring, taking care to leave bare dirt around the base of the tree for air circulation. The four terracotta watering ports will be watered heavily three or four times a year with no other supplemental water.

Gary Ward Sand and Gravel in Yucca Valley supplied and delivered the gravel, and the ‘ports’ were found in the boneyard at Whitewater Rock Supply.

Here's more about firewise mulch from University of Arizona and from University of Idaho.