Question
At our home near Ocean City, Md. [sandy soil,well drained but low water table]there is a hedge formed from several hemlocks that are now about 25 years old. We are in a wooded area with mature oaks. The hemlocks form a screen between me and neighbors and we water trees regularly when it is dry. I was thinking they should be mulched to preserve moisture. Shredded hardwood bark is the standard mulch in the area. Is that OK and is mulching something that should be done? Should they be given some Holly Tone in the spring?  

Answer
a big "yes" to the hollytone. one of the better evergreen (acid loving plants) fertilizers on the market. once in the spring & once in the fall. 2-3 coffee cup fulls per plant sprinkled on top of the ground. the rain will do the rest. shredded hardwood or root mulch will help them during the summer. 2" should be enough. you might want to put 2-3 layers of newspaper down before you apply mulch to keep the weed in check (if weed is a problem). i'm in southern NJ.