The Simple Practice That Makes a Big Difference for Fairburn Trees
If there’s one low-cost, high-impact way to boost your trees’ health, it’s mulching. But while mulch can be a tree’s best friend, when done wrong, it can cause more harm than good.
At All In Tree Service of Fairburn, we regularly help homeowners correct common mulching mistakes and show them how to use this powerful tool to nurture healthier, longer-living trees—especially in our local Fairburn climate and clay-heavy soil.
“Mulching is one of the easiest ways to protect your tree’s root system,” says Rudy Perez, owner of All In Tree Service. “But you’d be amazed how often we see it done wrong—especially those dreaded mulch volcanoes.”
???? Why Mulch Matters
Mulch is more than just decoration—it serves a vital role in tree care:
Retains soil moisture during hot, dry spells
Regulates soil temperature, protecting roots in summer heat and winter chills
Prevents weed competition by blocking sunlight to weed seeds
Reduces soil compaction, which is especially important in Fairburn’s dense clay soil
Adds organic nutrients as it breaks down over time
According to the University of Georgia Extension, proper mulching can reduce tree mortality by up to 60% in urban and suburban environments.
???? Mulching Tips for Fairburn’s Climate
Fairburn sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, meaning trees face:
Hot, humid summers with periods of drought
Occasional freezes in winter
Frequent storms that saturate the soil
Mulch helps balance these extremes—but only if it’s applied correctly.
✅ How to Mulch the Right Way
✔ Step 1: Choose the Right Mulch
Organic mulches like shredded bark, pine straw, or wood chips are ideal. These materials:
Break down slowly
Enrich the soil
Provide better insulation and moisture retention than rocks or rubber
“We always recommend natural mulch because it feeds the tree as it decomposes,” says Rudy.
✔ Step 2: Create a Proper Mulch Ring
Spread mulch in a wide, even ring around the base of the tree—2 to 4 inches deep
Extend the mulch ring as wide as the canopy if possible (the more root zone covered, the better)
✔ Step 3: Keep Mulch Away from the Trunk
This is where many homeowners go wrong. Do not pile mulch against the trunk—it can cause:
Bark rot
Fungal infections
Pest infestations
Leave a 2–3 inch gap between the mulch and the tree trunk.
“We call those ‘mulch volcanoes’—and they slowly kill trees,” Rudy says. “It looks neat, but it’s not healthy.”
❌ Common Mulching Mistakes to Avoid
Too much mulch (more than 4 inches deep) → suffocates roots
Mulch volcanoes → trap moisture and invite decay
Using plastic sheeting under mulch → blocks air and water to roots
Fresh mulch on compacted soil → doesn’t help unless the soil is aerated first
???? When to Mulch
Mulching can be done year-round, but the best times are:
Early spring, to prepare for summer heat
Late fall, to protect against winter temperature swings
Fairburn’s changing seasons make twice-a-year mulching an excellent habit.
???? Pro Tip: Combine Mulching with Annual Tree Inspections
Mulching is a great time to check for:
Exposed roots
Signs of rot or insects near the base
Soil drainage issues
Tree health concerns that may require professional care
???? Let All In Tree Service Help You Mulch the Right Way
At All In Tree Service of Fairburn, we offer:
Professional mulching services
Soil and root zone assessments
Tree health inspections and care plans
Safe removal of old mulch or “volcano” buildup