RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Vertical Mulching of Trees: Effects on Roots and Water Status
JF Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF)
JO JOA
FD International Society of Arboriculture
SP 141
OP 145
DO 10.48044/jauf.1994.026
VO 20
IS 3
A1 P.J. Kalisz
A1 J.W. Stringer
A1 R.J. Wells
YR 1994
UL http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/20/3/141.abstract
AB We examined the effect of vertical mulching on root growth and xylem water potential of large sugar maples (Acersaccharum) growing in pastures. Root mass in the 35-40 cm depth of undisturbed soil was about 50% that in the 5-10 cm depth, and root mass at the edge of the canopy (7.5 m from the trunk) was about 40% that found at 1/4 the distance to the edge of the canopy. After three growing seasons, the abundance of roots in perlite-filled vertical mulch channels (0.6 kg/m3) was significantly (P<0.0001) less than in undisturbed soil 1-2 m away from mulch channels (4.4 kg/m3) and in undisturbed soil immediately surrounding mulch channels (3.5 kg/m3). Predawn and midday xylem water potentials, measured in late summer and used as indices of tree health, did not differ between mulched and non-mulched trees. Our results indicated that perlite-filled vertical mulch channels did not affect tree health, and, rather than being utilized as preferred pathways of growth, were avoided by tree roots.