grow your business
to advertise, call us at 916.498.1234
28
|
Sn&r
|
08.15.19
place
Sticks and stones Use mulch, not rocks, around lawn trees by Debbie Arrington
seems hotter. Because it is: The black rock often gets 20 degrees warmer than the surrounding air if exposed to full sun. The effect can be particularly brutal in southand west-facing gardens. Shade could lessen that heat effect. But as part of low-water landscapes, trees often are removed. Landscapers recommend rock or stone because, like a lawn, a leaf blower can be used to remove leaves and debris without disturbing the ground cover. Wood chips, not rocks, make Instead, Sanchez recommends letting the best mulch for trees. the leaves stay pretty much where they fall. That’s what nature does. As for the mulch itself, take another Rocks in a garden can be attractive. They can cue from nature: Use chipped wood, the form paths or add accents. go-to mulch for the Tree Foundation. It’s heavy But rock mulch around trees? Not so cool. enough to stay in place, conserving moisture “This is not Phoenix,” said Pamela Frickmann and cooling roots, while also adding nutrients to Sanchez, education program manager for the the soil. SacTree recommends a layer at least 6 Sacramento Tree Foundation. “Rocks are not inches deep spread like a giant doughnut around mulch; rocks are rocks.” the tree, leaving space in the middle next to the With conversions of lawns to water-wise trunk to help prevent crown rot. Sacramento landscapes, Sacramento is getting pretty rocky. That residents can get free wood chips from SMUD, a concerns Sanchez and other experts who are dediSacTree partner. cated to keeping Sacramento the “City of Trees.” Or get cheap wood chips from landscapers or Trying to reduce water use, homeowners often tree cutters. replace lawn with cobbles or lava rock, which “I always ask what kind of trees they’ve need no irrigation. That isolates former “lawn been chipping,” Sanchez said. “You don’t want trees,” surrounding them with barren rock where anything with a lot of seeds; they’ll sprout. there once was well-watered turf. Experts suggest Personally, I avoid liquidamber.” a thick layer of mulch around almost any tree to And rocks. conserve moisture and protect roots. Buzz on over: The open house and plant sale to With rocks, it can appear the trees are mulched support the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven at UC while cutting down on weeds, fulfilling two funcDavis is now set for Sept. 28, a week later than tions with each stone. But like concrete or other previously announced. paving, rocks reflect and absorb heat, significantly warming the soil while also reflecting heat onto evenT deTailS nearby plants. Leaves become sunburned; twigs get toasted. Roots slowly bake. Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven 10th “Rock definitely increases the [soil] temperaanniversary celebration and fundraiser ture,” Sanchez said. “It doesn’t insulate the soil or takes place 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, keep it cool. It doesn’t do much at all.” Sept. 28, Bee Biology Road in Uc Davis. Free admission and parking; Details: Instead of saving water, adding a layer of rocks beegarden.ucdavis.edu. around plants actually increase water use. Hotter soil means stressed—and thirstier—shrubs and trees. “You have to use more water to keep your debbie arrington, an award-winning garden writer and lifelong plants alive,” Sanchez said. gardener, is co-creator of the sacramento digs Gardening blog Covering a landscape with black rock is like and website. paving the yard with black asphalt; everything Photo courtesy of sacramento tree foundation
Get your business noticed by real estate, desiGn and GardeninG-savvy readers!
P
garden