Homeowner warned after sharing photo of concerning landscaping issue: 'This is a direct result of stress'

Reddit can be a great place to get answers to your gardening woes, and for one gardener, it may just have saved the life of their tree after commenters identified the cause of its stress.

Posting on the subreddit r/arborists, a gardener reached out for help after noticing that the bark near the base of their two-year-old tree was peeling away.

"I planted this tree 2 years ago and feel it's been doing awesome, until recently," the gardener wrote alongside two images of the stressed-out tree.

Commenters pointed out that the mulch volcano at the base of the tree was the likely culprit and advised the gardener to remove it and expose the root flare as soon as possible.

"This is a direct result of stress from volcano mulching and/or being buried too deeply. Maples absolutely do not tolerate a smothered, suffocated root flare/trunk flare," one commenter explained.

Another added, "Remove mulch volcano."

TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight

💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands

Mulch volcanoes are a harmful practice that involves piling a thick mound of mulch against a tree's trunk. This pile of mulch traps moisture, causing bark to rot and become diseased, as well as facilitating insect infestations. It can also encourage the roots to grow upward instead of downward, which can suffocate the tree. This can lead to decay, and in the worst cases, even the tree's death.

However, if used correctly, natural mulch can be a great way to add nutrients to the soil. It also helps suppress weeds and conserve water, which is great for supporting healthy plants and trees. Using less mulch — in the shape of doughnut rather than a volcano — not only benefits the plants, but it can also save people money as they need to buy much less and won't spend a fortune replacing damaged and dying trees.

Native trees are a great addition to any native garden, providing shade and cooler temperatures during hot weather. They also provide habitats for local wildlife and don't need a lot of maintenance because they are adapted to local soil and weather conditions. As a result, native gardens are also much cheaper to maintain and help support the local environment, which is a bonus all around.

When's the last time you had your trees inspected?

Never 🤷

In the past year 😎

2 to 5 years ago 🙂

More than 5 years ago 😬

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.