Excess mulch can cause problems.

Spread mulch under trees, shrubs, and throughout planting beds to a recommended depth of 3 to 4 inches for medium- to coarse-textured materials. Pull mulch away from the bases of tree and shrub trunks, creating a donut-hole (image on left). Do not pile it up against the trunk (“volcano mulching”).

Maximize the growth of new trees and shrubs by mulching an area underneath the plants instead of planting grass, shrubs, or groundcover.

Spread a 3-inch thick layer of hardwood mulch, which is in the form of nuggets or wood chips, over the soil. Cover the ground beneath each shrub and out to the edges of the shrub bed. Hardwood.