North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Erdman, Jim" <ErdmanJ@uwstout.edu>]

 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.
 
Michael Phillips recommends a compost with lots of shredded wood in it, to 
encourage fungi which are beneficial for the trees.  Other organic or 
near-organic orchardists that I know use shredded or chipped wood, including 
prunings and other orchard materials, as mulch, and have done so for years, 
with good results.
 
I have used chipped limbs and prunings or shredded bark when I can get it.  I 
don't have a chipper that can handle prunings, or I would use more as mulch.
 
Jim Erdman, in Menomonie, WI

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