Influence of Mulch Materials on Growth of Green Ash    (View PDF)

Margaret Litzow and Harold Pellett

Abstract: Six mulch materials applied to green ash were evaluated for effects on tree growth, soil moisture retention and temperature modification characteristics. The largest percentage increases in growth were observed on trees mulched with hay, black plastic and Turface mulches. In early spring, trees mulched with black plastic or nonmulched had higher soil temperatures but later in the season temperature differences among mulch treatments were much smaller. During the 1980 growing season moisture differences became apparent in late June when wood chip and redwood bark treatments had the highest soil moisture and nonmulched and Turface treatments had the lowest. Following a rainfall, the nonmulched, wood chip and redwood bark treatments had the highest soil moisture. Replacement of black plastic and hay mulches was necessary after two growing seasons.

Keywords:

https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1983.002