Mulch over exposed tree roots - Ask Extension
I have a maple tree with exposed tree roots in my backyard, and I want to cover it with mulch. The area is small, and I am not interested in keeping t...
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Mulch over exposed tree roots #876133
Asked July 06, 2024, 4:31 PM EDT
I have a maple tree with exposed tree roots in my backyard, and I want to cover it with mulch. The area is small, and I am not interested in keeping the grass to reduce water use. The ground is not level, so I am unsure if I should level it with filler dirt or just use an extra inch or so of mulch. I have read that covering exposed roots with dirt is not recommended, but I am also concerned about putting too much mulch. Also, can I place mulch over the exposed roots? The purpose of this area is to protect the trees and possibly plant small plants in the future.
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
Ideally, trees should have mulch spread around them out to the drip line. For a tree as large as this, that is a lot of mulch, but would help prevent any accidental damage to the exposed roots or trunk by lawn equipment. Maples have notoriously shallow roots that prevent good turf growth, and benefit greatly from the mulch that keeps those roots cool and moist in the hot summer. The important thing to remember is that mulch should be no deeper than 3 inches and not be piled against the trunk at all. See the following article about proper mulching: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mulching-trees-and-shrubs
