Other good times for seedlings to get started happened in the 60s and between 2008-2012, Conner said. They regulate the temperature of the soil, keeping it warmer in cold weather and cooler in heat. things these days, we find people on both sides of an issue. Welcome to one of the hot-button issues in American gardening: the controversy about harvesting cypress trees and using the mulch in home gardens. Maintain a dry and airy environment. Home Residential Blog Should I Mulch Around Trees or Not? over cypress harvesting discussed above, and concerns over use of mulch Donald Rockwood, professor emeritus in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida, has co-authored a paper he expects to be published in 2018 that offers a management solution. But youre probably wondering what type of mulch is best , Differences Between Cedar VS. Cypress Mulch, Before choosing a mulch, you want to look at their differing attributes so you can accurately compare. A vinegary odor indicates the presence of acetic acid in your mulch. Fortunately, the odor will dissipate within 2 to 3 days of installation. Choose colored mulch that complements the exterior colors of your home in the brick, stone, stucco and siding. The companys potting mixes, soils and mulches are mostly composed of organic waste from forestry, farming and food processing; bark, manure, rice hulls, compost, and landscaping green waste. I conducted a search of the National Library of I also like how it protects my plants from heat and cold damage. Its also a good organic fertilizer because it adds potassium and nitrogen to the soil. They take longer to degrade than shredded bark. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A damp area with limited air circulation retains this gas, resulting in a strong manure odor. Check out our dedicated article: cypress mulch vs. cedar mulch. Many people think that cypress mulch is a by-product of tree milling operations in Louisiana, Alabama, and the other Gulf states. Mulch should be applied sparingly. that leachate from mulch containing CCA treated wood can have elevated A bad odor coming from mulch is not a good sign. Mulching decreases competition from grass and weeds, helps conserve moisture, insulates the soil, and protects tree trunks from damage by mowers or trimmers. You can use leaves, shredded stems, and even grass cuttings. I saw this article about why buying cypress mulch is a bad thing for the folks in Louisiana linked somewhere (I forget where- if it's you that linked, please let me know so I can credit you!) Creech is also director of the universitys gardens, which he said include the best collection of cypress genotypes anywhere in the world. Cypress mulch is derived The National Gardening Association (NGA) thinks the potential environmental downsides are big enough to discourage using cypress mulch. The Pros and Cons of Cypress Mulch - Mulchpedia In some areas along the Southeastern coast, Conner said, salt water intrusion from rising sea level has killed many trees. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Well, there are a few things to consider before using cypress mulch in your garden. Yes, you should remove mulch thats older than a year. Gardeners love cypress mulch for a number of reasons. nutans) and bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum). for many reasons. Is cypress better than cedar? Every month or so, fluff up your mulch. This information is for educational purposes only. Basically, we are destroying South Louisiana with canals that have allowed salt water from the Gulf of Mexico to penetrate inward, Creech said. In addition to the EPA, other stakeholders at the conference included the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), several academics (including a professor and researcher from Clemson University who specializes in cypress, William H. Conner), the Georgia Forestry Commission, and representatives of trade groups such as the Mulch and Soil Council. The seeds of bald cypress, the majestic tree that grows on the edges of rivers and streams and the type most people probably think about when they think of cypress, need periods of drought to take root. What is cypress mulch? Cypress mulch is: But so are most mulches. With no cypress trees to slow the wind and water, New Orleans was inundated. It should be noted that Actinomyces are an important part of the mulching process. decay resistance. While good mulch may have an odor, it should not be offensive, unpleasant, or overpowering. The same is true for any acrid ammonia odor. Poor air circulation, no matter where its kept, makes it even worse. However, avoid cypress mulch that has been obtained in an unethical manner. In what way? The Pros And Cons Of Cypress Mulch For Tomato Plants In fact, all our cypress mulch results from waste products from cypress sawmills around the area. Cypress mulch is an environmentally friendly, True or False? - AAOA Cypress garden mulch is generally less expensive than many other organic mulches, and adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. Cypress mulch is also the more affordable option. So you water them and nurture them and trim away dead branches. The paper predicts that cypress trees grown on commercial non-wetland plantations in Florida could be harvested for mulch in initial rotations as short as 10 years. Cypress is definitely a huge part of the ecosystem, said Dave Whitinger, executive director of the NGA. Remember that it is organic and can enrich your plants, reducing the need for frequent fertilizer applications. The sun evaporates water as it beats down, especially during the heat of the day. cypress mulch problems - Useful Gardening Tips Meanwhile, black rubber mulch has a strong odor. The paper suggests transitioning from what Rockwood calls a hunter-gatherer approach to an agricultural one. Alerts. It prevents the moisture in the soil from evaporating and drying out quickly, which cuts down on the amount of watering. All organic mulches help soil retain moisture, keep the soil cool and insulate plant roots during freezing temperatures. Mulch is moldy when it provides the ideal conditions for mold growth: organic material to feed on, humidity, and warm temperatures (77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, or 25 to 30 degrees Celsius). How about gravel or concrete? According to their numbers, its flattened out for several years now. Want to request a FREE consultation or speak to your Davey local office about your residential tree or lawn needs? This is the habitat for pond cypress (. His conclusion from the gathering was that the claim that the cypress forests in Georgia were being over-logged [was] simply not accurate. He said he left the meeting thinking that cypress logging was within reasonable sustainable parameters and until those changed there was no need for further action. Efficient at reducing moisture evaporation. Pine straw typically comes from pine plantations which produce paper and wood products. The companys policy also stipulates that vendors cannot supply stores with mulch harvested from coastal cypress, said a company spokesman. Our ISA certified arborists live and work in your community. But, because of its habitat in old forests along rivers, I would guess mainly bald cypress. You can make your own at home. Should I Mulch Around Trees or Not? Yes, and Here's Why To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). Thats because organic cypress mulch offers many pros and cons, such as its cheaper than other mulches but less environmentally friendly. Outlined are the pros and cons of using cedar or cypress mulch. The leaves of certain plants, such as pine, make excellent mulch. However, often the mulch emits a sharp and unpleasant odor. Make sure the grass clippings are sufficiently dry. This mulch, when used correctly, can help to prevent the spread of pests and soil-borne diseases. The properties of cypress mulch that prevent it from floating can also have negative effects in your garden. Cedar bark chips are sometimes sold as bark mini nuggets (Check the latest price on Amazon here). His recollection of the gathering was that it didnt produce any agreements. Originally, cypress mulch, which comes mainly from Florida and Louisiana, was a by-product of lumbering. One of the causes of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina was that cypress swamps between New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico had been cleared by loggers. And once its gone, it converts to marsh or open water areas such as a lake or a pond, Conner said. professor of Forestry at Louisiana State University and chair of a We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Mulch with the biggest nuggets lasts the longest. The best kind of mulch for your garden or yard will depend on a variety of factors, including the needs of your green space, your visual preferences, and how much work you want to have to put into maintaining it. If cost is a concern, you may want to consider using a less expensive type of mulch, such as pine bark mulch or straw. Natural vs. We are only providing mulch delivery services at this time. Consider the pros and cons of using cypress mulch in your garden before you make a decision. Keeping mulch away from home foundations and other vulnerable structures by creating a gap with gravel or stone is one way to discourage movement. In Louisiana, the issues with cypress logging are small compared to problems caused by salinity, said David Creech, Regents Professor Emeritus at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. In other ways, when you start to look at all the impacts, you begin to wonder just how long we will have these cypress trees., Three things concern him: development, logging, and rising sea levels. Since that conference, the supply of cypress in the mulch industry has flattened out, according to LaGasse, who based that assessment on a conversation with a major retailer. Poke holes through the mulch for indoor plants. (5 Proven Tips). Each coastal state sets its own coastal boundaries, said Conner, and both bald and pond cypress can grow outside those boundaries. Most conservationists consulted, both online and in print, say bird-friendly yards will do best using natural chemical-free products like shredded leaves and pine straw for mulch. It helps conserve soil moisture, stave off weeds, and protect the roots in bright, sunny spots. The project examined whether increasing demands for cypress products were affecting naturally occurring cypress wetlands. This action aids in the formation of more air pockets in your mulch. Cypress or Cedar Mulch: Which Is Better? - Suave Yards As an amazon associate, I earn affiliate commissions from the qualifying purchases but don't worry it won't charge you extra for it. 1. . The mulch protects the soil and roots from frost. Helpful for insulating the soil from extreme temperatures. These two mulches can appear similar when sitting next to each other at the store, and people dont always know the difference between cedar and cypress. 20 Gardening Hacks to Help You Get Growing, Approved by Experts, Mulch Can Help With Weed Control and Soil Health, How to Grow and Care for the Loblolly Pine. The wetlands in Florida and Louisiana are being cleared of cypress trees much faster than the rate cypress can naturally regrow. Contents Causes of manure smell in mulch You can mulch around trees with standard bark mulch, or you can use wood chips or shredded leaves. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Contact your local Davey representative to find out how you can partner with Davey on your next project. Whitinger lives in Jacksonville Texas, a small town in the eastern part of the state near cypress wetlands. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. You could be forgiven for thinking your mulch contains manure, especially given how bad it smells. They were hunted mainly for their pretty feathers, which were bright greens and yellows. Their populations dropped dramatically in the 1850s and 1860s, just a few decades before the intense cypress logging that began around 1890. The decision was made in part because of the role native cypress plays in wetlands, and also because the company wanted to source raw materials as close to its facilities as possibletypically within a 100-mile radius. To make matters worse, the mulch provides no nutritional value to plants. What are the disadvantages of cedar mulch? Lets take a look at the pros and cons of cypress mulch. No matter which material you choose, they are almost all equally effective. Termites can sometimes be found in mulch beds but the heartwood in cedar and cypress mulch is more termite-resistant. Since the cypress tree population isnt strong, discouraging the excessive use of cypress mulch can help preserve the environment and natural habitats. for mulch does occur in Florida. First and foremost, cypress trees are a valuable resource in the Southern United States, where many cypress forests are located.