Is it necessary to remove grass when adding mulch around a tree

Question

Do I have to dig up the turf surrounding the tree before I add a ring of mulch around it?

Answer 1

Hi Michael,

Just to add to the other good answers...

If you have good grass in the places around the tree and bare spots elsewhere, you can try to get up the grass you want to do away with in chunks like sod to fill in the bare spots, rather than just killing it off.

Answer 2

you should, if you dont, the grass will grow right up thru it.

Answer 3

You don't want to dig the turf around the tree as you might disturb tree roots.  That is, you don't want to dig down deeply.  I suggest using a scuffle hoe for the chore.  It removes grass and weeds at the soil line without going so deep as to disturb the tree roots.  Scuffle hoes are available at hardware stores for about $15.    The hoe will clear a large area quickly, there is no wait time for replanting as with herbicides and there is no chance of damaging landscape you want to keep as with herbicides.  It's a good work out, too  :)

Also, keep your mulch a couple of inches from the trunk of the tree.

You invite fungal diseases and pests if the mulch is tight around the tree trunk.

Answer 4

Yes, remove the grass.  Grass would be competition for the tree until it dies. Mulch acts to reduce competition from surrounding weeds and turf. To be most effective in all of these functions, mulch should be placed four inches deep and extend as far as possible from the base of the tree. :)

Answer 5

just scrape the top 2ins. off, sprinkle chicken pellets or sheep, then add the mulch, the pellets will help the mulch to break down and feed the tree at the same time, the birds will toss bits and pieces around looking for grubs, but tha't;s fine

Answer 6

Normally I kill the grass first with Roundup. Then I edge the bed and mulch. Smooth it out, and tamp the edges with the back side of a soil rake.

If not, some of the grass will die, but some will live and grow through the mulch. Very tacky. Weeds particularly will survive.

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