Not to many people are growing oranges on the conifer forum. Orange Trees are a whole different ball game. My daughter can't even grow them in California

I would do a search on the internet and find out who this Fletcher guy is. If he published a book I would guess he would have some facts to back up his mulch theory.

I think micro climate is the key word supporting his reasoning on this subject. Just a guess.

Dave

I think there is a great misunderstanding here. I`m certainly not suggesting oranges will ever be grown in Illinois. In Florida we probably planted them further north than conventional wisdom permitted. We learn from mistakes. Who would have thought a Chinese holly (hybrid) could ever be grown in Illinois or a Southern magnolia in south central Illinois. I was never suggesting anything than I was intrigued by the idea that a mulch could be harmful. The only harmful effect that I thought of mulches were that they could hold too much moisture if improperly applied or harbor rodents. I use them a great deal.