Why mulch around trees?
Mulching around trees is very important, as it helps the young tree to obtain the essential nutrients needed to survive the early stages of development. Mulching helps to suppress the growth of weeds around a tree's root system, with more young trees failing due to lack of mulch than from wind or any pests.
In the first three years of growth young trees need moisture in the growing medium around the tree. This moisture is needed by the tree as a feeding mechanism to carry minerals to its root system. If weeds are permitted to grow around the tree they will take the majority of this moisture which will seriously reduce the tree's growth rate. A form of weed suppressant material will be of great benefit to the tree in its early stages of development allowing the moisture to fully aid the tree. This weed suppressant will further benefit the young tree as it stops the growing medium around the tree from drying out and cracking which rapidly promotes water loss for the soil. As the tree needs this moisture for its first three growing seasons the area of weed suppressant around the base of the tree should extend by at least 0.5m in any direction from the stem. This will allow the full root system of the young tree to become fully established and support fast growth rates throughout the tree's life.
Black Uvi Polythene Mats
These are the most economical on an initial purchase cost basis of the Weed Suppressant Materials an provide only the absolute minimum requirements for the tree. These Mats prevent weed growth for the period of at least the two years that they last. As they are not water permeable, and they can attract pests such as voles to the tree, they are not the ideal material for use as a Weed Suppressant. All our Mats are supplied pre-cut with a slit to the centre point for the tree.
Woven Polypropylene Mats
Woven Polypropylene Suppressants are far more effective as a mat to aid tree development. This material not only stops weed development due to it being lightproof but it also allows water to drain through the mat providing the essential moisture the tree needs. These Mats are also much stronger than plain UVI Mats which helps them to resist tearing and blowing free in windy conditions. These Mats have a life expectancy of at least 5 years so will satisfy the young trees' demands in this area also. Rainbow offers this range in 50cm x 50cm and 1m x 1m sizes with centre slots for the tree or complete 1m x 100m rolls.
Plastic Weed Mat Pegs
Rainbow offer a unique Plastic Peg which through the addition of several small flexible tangs greatly improves the peg's holding power. In tests our standard peg had a greater holding power in soil than other pegs nearly 50% longer. We offer our pegs in standard plastic, which will last over 4 years in the ground, or alternatively a biodegradable version.
Biodegradable, Environmentally Friendly Mats
Numerous tree surveys have shown that the most effective material for use as a Weed Suppressant is wool carpets. Rainbow has recognized this and arranged collection schemes to gather 100% Wool Carpets which would otherwise end up as landfill. These Carpets are then screened and pre-cut into 50cm x 50cm or 1m x 1m squares with a centre slit cut on the diagonal so as to require less fixing pegs.
These wool carpets have very strong jute backing and when placed face down, have a light brown jute face which very quickly blends in around the young tree. Being around 500 GSM this carpet will last in excess of 4 growing seasons and are completely biodegradable. As the carpets breakdown they release nitrogen which is one of the essential nutrients young trees need in their early growth stages.
Wool Mats hold moisture well and prevent the surrounding soil from drying out whilst feeding the soil. Other manufactured biodegradable mats from jute/coir etc, have never been able to last sufficiently long for the tree's needs even when at very thick and heavy designs.
Plastic Weed Mat Pegs
Rainbow offer a unique Plastic Peg which through the addition of several small flexible tangs greatly improves the peg's holding power. In tests our standard peg had a greater holding power in soil than other pegs nearly 50% longer. We offer our pegs in standard plastic, which will last over 4 years in the ground, or alternatively a biodegradable version.
Metal Pegs And Staples
We offer a wide range of wire pegs and staples as an alternative to our plastic pegs. As a standard we use 3mm copper washed steel wire. This copper reduces the effects of rust on the wire but also makes these pegs and staples far more effective against weeds. When a root reaches one of our pegs or staples, it stops growing which reduces the possibility of a weed growing under a peg and trying to raise it. Rainbow also offers these products in a 4mm wire which is a heavy duty version for use in heavy clay or stone conditions. We can also offer our full range in 3mm Galvanised Wire for use in areas where corrosion is a concern such as sandy or highly acidic soils.
