Question
Sean,
Thank you for your time.  Half of my backyard has no grass due to a shade tree.  I am thinking about mulching this section to control mud and dust.  What kind of mulch would be good for this kind of project and what should I know before I get started this spring?  Thank you .  Tanya

Answer
First let me say you are doing the right thing. Many people keep trying to get grass to grow in a fruitless and tireless never ending battle that the tree will always win.

So now that you have decided to mulch you need to decide what kind to use...

Ok so the first thing that matters is where your home is. For example in south and central Florida almost everyone uses cypress mulch because it is cheap and readily available. While in north Florida, Georgia and almost all other southern states Pine needles are used. In the Mid West the most common mulch is shredded hardwood or bark. There are always exceptions but generally the most common mulch in an area is based on the one that is the cheapest because it is locally available. Mulches that have to be shipped in are more expensive. Cypress trees are cut in south Florida and so they are readily available natural resources in these areas. Pine needles are harvested from the many thousands of acres of paper mill tree farms through Georgia and the southern states. Shredded hardwood and shredded bark are harvested from the many wood mills throughout the US and the mulch is made from left over materials and bark after the viable timber is harvested.

Ok that's the first thing. Next is personal taste. I for one do not like my designs to stand out as gaudy or cheap. Now I am sure I will offend some one when I say this but as a professional designer we as designers generally consider dyed wood mulches like red and orange cypress mulch, plastic mulches, recycled tires,lava rock, brick chips, white marble chips, etc. as cheap, low quality and bad looking mulches. Along with plastic edging I would never recommend any of these to anyone wishing their landscape to look professional and high quality. I typically recommend that you use mulch that matches your regions most typically used mulch.

Next, you must consider the location of the mulch and the factors that will influence its life expectancy (or breakdown speed). If a mulch is to be placed on a steep slope then pine needles or shredded hardwood are the best as they tend to lock together well and not move easily. Chipped cypress or pine nuggets tend to migrate down slope much faster and you end up with no mulch at the top and lots at the bottom.  Also if a mulch is being placed in a location likely to flood when it rains don't pick a mulch that floats easily (pine nuggets or cypress chips). Rock is best for areas regularly flooded and then pine needles. Most shredded or chipped wood products will tend to float.

Finally you have to consider what you want your mulch to do. Pine needles have an acidity that really helps block weeds from coming up when it breaks down. However, pine straw does not last long and has to be re-applied at least once if not twice a year. I like to apply new needles in the late winter or early spring and then in the late summer early fall when I change out my summer annuals to winter annuals. Shredded hardwood is great if you are also intent on improving the organic matter in your soil. Shredded hardwood is good for beds with lots of flowering shrubs.

Ok so based on that you should have a good idea of mulch is best for your site. I hope this helped.


Sean J Murphy, LA,ISA, LEED AP
Please check out my blogs and articles on landscape topics like this on my websites.
http://www.seanjmurphy.com
http://amenityarchitects.com