North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Thomas Olenio <tolenio@sentex.net>]

Joe and Ellen Hecksel wrote:

<snip> Another strategy would be to have a vegetation free zone 4' around the 
tree's trunk.  That
requires a herbicide mix like Round-up and Simazine or a black plastic mulch. 
 Not an option if
you are of the organic school.

Hi,

Just out of curiosity...

Has anyone tried using the large round bales of hay/straw for a mulch mat?

You would just need to unwind it, cut off 4' lengths, put a slit into it, and 
slide it around the
tree.

In the fall the mat could be removed.

It would definately prove to be a good mulch, and could be moved back into 
place in the spring.

I know they are using them in a similar manner for mats for cows in dairy 
barns, so they do stand
up.

Later,
Tom