PFRA Shelterbelt Centre Publications PFRA Shelterbelt Centre Publications Mulches for Tree Planting Mulches are an effective alternative to herbicides and mechanical cultivation for protection of tree and shrub seedlings from competition with weeds for moisture and nutrients. Placed on the soil around the seedling, they improve growth and survival by preventing other plants from germinating or growing. Mulches protect plants from dry conditions by trapping moisture beneath them and minimizing evapotranspiration. Mulches reduce wind erosion in tree rows and prevent crusting of the soil surface. There are two kinds of mulches - organic and plastic.
Organic mulches are loose materials such as wood chips, straw, flax shives or bark.
These mulches have been used for years to control weeds and conserve moisture. They can be difficult to obtain in large quantities and application is often laborious. In most cases, soil temperature is cooler under these mulches. Plastic mulches are sheets or rolls of plastic that are laid on the ground around the trees. They effectively prevent weed germination and are normally easier to apply than organic mulches.