To the Editor:

The trees are yelling: “Stop with this piling up mulch around my trunk — you’re killing me!”

What is the purpose of mulching? —  To conserve moisture in the soil and to suppress unwanted growth.

Ninety percent of the large and small landscaping companies are simply ripping you off and doing permanent damage to your trees and bushes. The high volcano-like dense piles of mulch that surround your trees actually contribute to the rotting of the bark surfaces and provide a moist environment for fungal diseases and insects who feed on the bark to proliferate; the volcanoes encourage surface root growth that are not true roots as they are formed from cell tissue, not root tissue; surface roots caused by a too deep surrounding of mulch discourages deep supportive root development; prevents the penetration of needed moisture to roots; and promotes extensive and destructive root girdling around the base of tree. This all weakens the health and strength of your trees and shortens their lives as they are vulnerable to diseases and to being knocked down by high winds.

For proper mulching methods you can visit the mulching blog on my website www.ourworldourchoices.com.

Judith Robinson

Salem Court