How to Excavate a Root Collar and Remove a Mulch Volcano

Mulch piled around the base of a tree is referred to as a mulch volcano. It is very harmful to trees and shrubs.

Piling mulch around the base of a plant keeps the trunk moist, which harms the cells of the trunk and decreases their ability to perform necessary functions. It also provides an opportunity for the tree’s roots to grow around the trunk, which will eventually strangle the tree.

Unfortunately, the story gets worse. As the tree begins declining in health, it becomes more susceptible to attack from insects and disease. This worsens the tree’s health issues and speeds up its decline.

But this is a problem we can fix. We can excavate the root collar, which is the flare at the base of the tree. We do so using an air tool (called an Air Spade) to move the dirt and mulch without harming the roots. The goal is to make sure the root flare is visible and free of all dirt, mulch, and debris.

After the root collar excavation, we carefully prune girdling and other harmful roots. This is a complex task that requires a great deal of expertise. Once the task is complete, the tree/shrub should have a visible root flare that spreads into the surrounding grade.

To learn more, read our in depth article “Mulch Volcanoes: the Mt. St. Helens of Tree Problems” at: http://leaflimb.com/mulch-volcanoes-t...

Or visit our mulch volcano removal service page: http://www.leaflimb.com/mulch-volcano...

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