Suggestions for mulch alternatives around trees?

9 years ago

Hello!

We recently moved to a home that has a turf back lawn. In the backyard, there are 6 trees ( I would estimate they're each 2-3 years old and maples or littleleaf lindens). The turf is cut away in a 3ft-radius circle around each tree and the circle around the tree is filled with mulch.

Unfortunately, our dog is a mulch-digging and mulch-flinging machine. We have put up 4ft metal fences in a circle around each tree (which he easily jumps over). We've tried putting everything under the sun on this mulch to deter him (cayenne pepper, etc).

At this point, I'd just like to get rid of the mulch (I'm so tired of picking every little piece up off the turf lawn). Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for what I could cover these 3ft-radius circles with that wouldn't harm the tree. Could I cover these circles with place large/heavy stones without killing the trees?

Thank you in advance for any insights!

Featured Answer

Erica M.

9 years ago

1/8 vinegar to 7/8ths water in a spray bottle ( for the dog, not the mulch) for the naughty behavior as he's doing it. If that doesn't work then listerine (the same ratio of water as above) or some good dog training might be a better long term solution. If the dog is in the yard for hours, he's probably bored. I agree about no mulch. It's overrated and the focus should be on the trees, not the rocks and fences surrounding them:) A boulder here and there would be okay as a deterrent, but not up against the trunk in a circle.

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Comments (7)

partim
9 years ago
You could just leave it bare. Cultivate it a few times a year and that will keep the weeds down. Especially if they're maples, nothing much will grow in that dry shade.

Not sure what you mean by large rocks but I've also seen fist-sized river rocks used. Sometimes weeds grow in between. You could put landscape fabric under the rocks.
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Nancy Walton
9 years ago
In some parts of the country, wood mulch either has ticks that come in it or attracts ticks, not sure which.
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Revolutionary Gardens
9 years ago
do you have a source for the ticks claim? I've been doing this over 20 years and this is the first I've heard it.
hbfn
9 years ago
Mexican beach pebbles / rocks is what I use. I put a weed barrier fabric underneath to prevent weeds growing through it.
tatts
9 years ago
Yup, largish rocks (hand size flat ones) on top of landscape fabric. Or get rid of the dog...
Nancy Walton
9 years ago
I would never get rid of my dogs, they are part of my family. As far as the ticks go, it might be the part of the country I live in, but I have lived in the northeast as well as the southwest, and have had problems. It is probably more a function of the attraction to wood ticks than the ticks being in the mulch to begin with.