A three-inch layer of mulch spread across a tree's root zone does more for summer survival than most homeowners realize. It keeps soil temperatures down, holds moisture longer between waterings, and slowly improves compacted clay soil as it breaks down.
The mistake we see most often in Houston yards is mulch piled directly against the trunk, sometimes called a mulch volcano. That setup traps moisture against the bark and actually invites rot and pest problems instead of preventing them.
Mulch should form a wide, flat ring that stops several inches short of the trunk and extends out toward the edge of the canopy, where most of the tree's fine feeder roots are actually working.
Have you noticed the soil around your trees drying out and cracking during these hot stretches?
#HoustonTreeCare
Photo showing a properly mulched root zone, ideally a wide flat ring pulled back from the trunk, contrasted with an example of an improperly piled mulch volcano if available. Authentic yard photos preferred.
Canva text suggestion: "Mulch the Right Way This Summer" or "Skip the Mulch Volcano, Protect the Roots"