Last week a local tree trimmer delivered 4 (not 3 as I originally reported) truckloads of the best wood-chip mulch I have ever seen. We have spent the last several days hauling and spreading nearly two of those piles around our property (the piles were placed on the vacant lots on each side of ours, so we don't want to risk the owners stopping by to inspect their investments). A cold & rain front is due anytime after tomorrow evening and we want to avoid soaked mulch. We are exhausted.

Anyway, on to my question. What benefits accrue to palms mulched against winter? Does mulch provide extra protection against cold? I live in zone 10a but have had 10b winters the last couple winters. I know we are overdue for a colder-than-normal winter - maybe this one. Can someone list the benefits of winter mulch? That would make all our exhaustion worthwhile.

Hello Meg,

Good looking mulch! I have been going to Pine Island to get my mulch and I can attest to how exhausting it is. As for benefits it keeps the heat in the ground instead of radiating out which is a big plus. And of course it will help keep the moisture in to keep the palms from drying out if we get some strong cold winds. Lets pray for another 10b winter!

Hello Meg,

Good looking mulch! I have been going to Pine Island to get my mulch and I can attest to how exhausting it is. As for benefits it keeps the heat in the ground instead of radiating out which is a big plus. And of course it will help keep the moisture in to keep the palms from drying out if we get some strong cold winds. Lets pray for another 10b winter!

Agreed. Keeping those roots warm it a huge benefit. We expend energies worrying about leaf damage and of course the meristem during cold events while not contemplating how it effects the roots. The mulch can also radiate some heat if the wind is not too bad.

Im sure you're aware of nitrogen draw down with fresh mulch like that Meg? If not it might be worth looking into. A great haul none the less. Your palms wull love it in the future with all it's flow on effects

Edited November 25, 201411 yr by NApalm

Im sure you're aware of nitrogen draw down with fresh mulch like that Meg? If not it might be worth looking into. A great haul none the less. Your palms wull love it in the future with all it's flow on effects

Yes there is a nitrogen consumption with fresh mulch. The nitrogen is expended by the anaerobic that will ensue. This should not prevent mulching for several reasons.

Mulch will help aerate the top soil when it breaks down.

When the microbes that utilize the nitrogen die, they return the nitrogen back to the soil.

Mulch helps the rain and irrigation waters to penetrate the soil rather then running off.

Mulching provides an environment that is hospitable to beneficial mycorrhiza fungus that can fixate nitrogen gas from the atmosphere.

Mulching aids in establishing a living soil which benefits are multiple for thriving plants.

Great info moose. I always turned away fresh mulch due to concerns over nitrogen loss. If I had to I'd throw a handful of high nitrogen fert down first then mulch over the top to compensate. But this info you've provided has changed my thinking.

A separate issue to nitrogen is leeching from some timbers which could harm small, week plants/seedlings. I think im just nit picking now but it's something to be aware of.

Thanks again for the updated info

Great info moose. I always turned away fresh mulch due to concerns over nitrogen loss. If I had to I'd throw a handful of high nitrogen fert down first then mulch over the top to compensate. But this info you've provided has changed my thinking.

A separate issue to nitrogen is leeching from some timbers which could harm small, week plants/seedlings. I think im just nit picking now but it's something to be aware of.

Thanks again for the updated info

If you have the opportunity to put down fertilizer before you mulch you should do so. Exception is during the cold season. You do not want to promote active tender growth then.

Meg - I always end up doing the majority of my mulching now. Its just to taxing doing it during the hot humid times. Here are some shots of mulch I just put down in the last few days.

So we don't break the palm rule, here is Beccariophoenix madagascariensis that was recently mulched

Hyophorbe verschaffeltii got its mulch too

Great info moose. I always turned away fresh mulch due to concerns over nitrogen loss. If I had to I'd throw a handful of high nitrogen fert down first then mulch over the top to compensate. But this info you've provided has changed my thinking.

A separate issue to nitrogen is leeching from some timbers which could harm small, week plants/seedlings. I think im just nit picking now but it's something to be aware of.

Thanks again for the updated info

This thread may be of some interest: http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/35563-does-heavy-mulching-aid-in-creating-a-microclime/

That was a good read. Thanks moose

Freshly mulched Licuala peltata v sumawongii

Lots of yummy mulch around the Kerriodoxa elegans