Say Yes to Doughnut Rings!

We are sure you have seen this inexplicably popular way of planting trees in your neighbor's yard, parking lots, even public parks.  This "mulch volcano" prompts the growth of roots that will constrain the tree and cause the wood to rot at the base of the trunk.

Trees ain't cheap. So let’s plant them to thrive!

Plant the tree all the way in the ground, so the dirt from the container is level with the surrounding ground. Use no more than 2-3" of mulch, kept at a 8" radius from the trunk. This will keep weeds down and moisture in without harming your tree.

Blah, blah, blah, where the heck do doughnuts come in? When a tree is young,  it'll need watering. Creating a "doughnut" of soil around the tree helps keep water in place so it can penetrate the ground. After the first year or so, you won't need the doughnut. For an example of this technique, check out photos from the University of Minnesota's resource down below.

One of the top three things Aspetuck Land Trust's Green Corridor Initiative recommends to homeowners is planting native plants.  Some top picks in our region are native oaks, cherries, willows, birches, poplars, and elms. These species produce a large volume food for insects which provide food for songbirds. Trees can also serve to stabilize stream banks, provide nesting materials, and cool the ground below.