Village Launches 'Volcano Mulching' Awareness Campaign

From the Village of Glen Ellyn:

Early spring is a great time to begin thinking about how we care for plantings around our house and in our community. In Glen Ellyn, this spring marks the beginning of a campaign to raise awareness for an issue that has been negatively affecting parkway tree plantings around the community.

The term “Volcano Mulching” refers to a practice of piling mulch against the trunk of a tree, thereby creating a volcano shape at the base of the tree. While mulching can be one of the most beneficial things that you can do to keep your trees healthy, if done improperly, it can lead to disease, infestation and even to the death of a tree. “Volcano Mulching” has been found to contribute to uprooting, increased risk of root stress, vulnerability of fungal diseases and bark decay. Just a few simple practices will help keep our home landscapes beautiful, and also benefit the health of our community forest.

• Spread mulch out away from the base of the tree to expose the base of the root flare.
• Apply mulch to a depth of four inches away from the trunk to a radius of up to four feet.
• Consider mixing hardwood mulch with grass clippings, sawdust, pine needles or others to increase porosity.
• Check mulch levels each year. Trees often do not need to be mulched annually.

Starting in April, the Village of Glen Ellyn’s Environmental Commission will be visiting neighborhoods to increase awareness for volcano mulching by placing placards on parkway trees that have been incorrectly mulched. Residents are encouraged to inspect their parkway trees and private trees to see if they have been mulched properly. If you hire a landscaper, confirm beforehand that they will follow the appropriate mulching practices.

For more information, please visit the Village’s Volcano Mulching resources located at www.glenellyn.org, or contact the Public Works Department at 630-469-6756.