When maintaining a well manicured lawn, the last thing you want are tall standing blades of grass around
things like a mailbox or a street sign. This unwanted eyesore unfortunately goes for trees as well. Not many people are aware, but lawn mower and string trimmer damage can be detrimental to the health of a tree. When we use these tools to cut every last blade of grass, often times the tree is nicked in the process. This quest to ensure that a yard looks uniform and neat often results in the damaging of tree tissues at the trunk and roots. Initially, we might not think that a little damage here and there is a huge issue, but a tree’s bark protects it from harmful insects and diseases. The inner portion of the bark also acts to hold water in while it is transported from the ground to the leaves. Cutting the bark, means that the trees ability to hold water has been compromised.
You might be thinking, “I understand the issue now, but I still don’t want to see the tall blades of grass surrounding my trees.” Don’t worry! There are measures you can take to avoid the unsightly without damaging your trees in the process.
One of the foremost methods of addressing this issue is to use a mulch ring around your tree. It is a simple and easy three step process!
- Remove the grass from around the base of the tree in about a 2 foot radius, or whatever you think looks best.
- Add a one to two inch layer of pine straw or any other mulch you prefer.
- Pick blades of grass you see peaking through as they appear.
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