Mulch volcano on red maple

Question: In August of 2022 a landscaping company installed an October Glory red maple in my back yard. They staked the tree and put a mulch volcano around the base. My research tells me the tree should remain staked for at least a year, but the mulch volcano is a bad idea. Should I break up the mulch and distribute it more widely around the base of the tree? Also, should it be fertilized? Thank you.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 17, 2023, 10:31 AM EDT
response: Hello; Thanks for submitting your garden and landscaping questions to the University of Maryland Ask Extension Service.  Please see this UMd Extension webpage on mulching around trees: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/excess-mulch-problems. It indicates that mulch should not actually touch the tree but should be pulled back to about 3 inches from the tree trunk.   Fertilizing trees may not be necessary if you already fertilize adjacent turf in your landscape as tree roots will access fertilizers from turf fertilization. Please see this UMd Extension webpage on fertilizing trees and shrubs:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fertilizing-trees-and-shrubs-and-nutrient-deficiency-symptoms.   Good luck in your garden and landscaping efforts. Thanks; Christopher

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 17, 2023, 10:45 AM EDT
response: Thank you very much!   Sherry

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 17, 2023, 3:48 PM EDT
response: I have started pulling the mulch from around the top of the tree but now am exposing many little threads or roots. Will this damage the tree?

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 18, 2023, 11:09 AM EDT
response: I started to remove the mulch volcano around my red maple tree and have exposed shallow roots. Should I continue digging around the base of the tree to clear away the mulch and dirt that are touching the base of the tree? I don’t want to damage the root system.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 19, 2023, 9:38 AM EDT
response: Hello Sherry,  Although the exposure or complete removal of the surface fine roots might give the tree a small degree of stress, they would eventually have died or caused more serious problems if left in place under mulch. The main roots will be much more substantial than these "adventitious" roots so the loss of these fine roots should be of little consequence. Those main roots form the root flare (see link for an explanation and illustration), so if the flare is buried too deeply, the development of fine roots like these above it is common, though not desirable, which is why they can be removed. You can certainly help make sure the tree isn't too moisture-stressed as it recovers by feeling the soil and watering when needed, especially since our weather has been dry in recent weeks. (Feel the soil about six inches deep and water thoroughly when it becomes somewhat dry to the touch at that depth. If moist when probed to that depth, the tree likely has enough water already without intervention.)  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 10:03 AM EDT
response: Good morning, Miri,Thank you for the detailed response. I will continue pulling the mulch and dirt away from the center of the tree to try to expose the root flare. I used a Tree Gator last year to ensure enough water was getting to the tree and plan to use that again this year. I will check the moisture level per your instructions. Thank you again for your advice. This is a very helpful forum!   Sherry

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 19, 2023, 10:20 AM EDT
response: You're welcome!