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nafex - Re: [NAFEX] mulching fruit trees

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  • From: tanis grif <tanisgrif@yahoo.com>
  • To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] mulching fruit trees
  • Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 16:01:54 -0700 (PDT)

4 main problems I can think of, but these depend mostly on what your other
management is:
1- diseases & pests in woodchips. Many people want to use fresh woodchips,
because
they look so nice. But these are also most likely to host pests & disease.
Last
thing I heard was you want wood-based mulches to be at least 2 years aged.
2- organic mulches can tie up soil nitrogen. Not so much, if it's not mixed
into
soil. And anyway, some soils already have too much N for easy orchard
management.
3- Mulch piled around base of tree can promote air-roots & then burr-knots.
I've
noticed Bud.118 & MM111 rootstocks forming advantitious roots in just an inch
of
compost or soil for just a couple weeks.
4- Rodents, especially meadow-voles. Straw & sometimes woodchips can be
their home.
Not a big issue if you can get adequate protection between them and the tree
trunks.


--- Paul Cabe <> wrote:

> A lot of references advise against using organic mulches when planting
> apple and pear trees. What are the major problems with mulching? I
> have a big pile of well-aged shredded hardwood bark mulch, which I use
> for other woody plantings.
>
> Thanks,
> Paul
> Zone 6
> The Great Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
>
>
>
> Paul R. Cabe, PhD
> Associate Professor of Biology
> Washington and Lee University
> Lexington, VA 24450
> (540)458-8894
> (540)458-8012 (fax)
>

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