Vertical Mulching

Vertical Mulching for Trees

Vertical mulching, also known as “vertimulching” is a fairly common procedure used on trees to achieve any or all of the following goals:

1. Aeration of the soil
2. Partial decompaction of the soil
3. Fertilization of the soil
4. Inoculation of the Root Zone

The procedure is fairly standard, and various different products are employed to achieve the desired effects.

Overall Procedure

Vertical mulching involves the drilling of holes at regular spacing in the soil throughout the area directly beneath the canopy, starting from the trunk and extending just beyond the drip line.

Dimensions of Holes

Holes are drilled with a 2 to 3-inch wide auger bit to a depth of about 8 to 10-inches.

Drilling Equipment

Various earth augers are commercially available. Most are gasoline powered. Some are mounted on a truck, while others are hand-held, usually by at least two men.

Pattern of Drilling

Holes are drilled “on 2 ½ foot centers.” This is industry jargon, and it simply means that holes are spaced apart every 2 ½ feet following either a grid pattern, or a concentric circular pattern as diagrammed on the following page. The end result is a pattern of evenly spaced holes throughout the area underneath the canopy of the tree.

Filling Holes

Holes are filled with a variety of different mixtures, depending on the intended effect. For simple aeration, holes are often filled with pea gravel. For fertility, holes can be mixed with fertilizer diluted with soil. For inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi or rhizosphere bacteria, holes can be mixed with the appropriate inoculant. Typically the drill is used to mix the product with the soil by drilling a shallow hole, scooping the right amount of dry product into the hole, and then finishing the drilling. The drill effectively mixes the product with the soil while drilling the hole.

Vertimulch Drilling Patterns

Following are bird's eye views from above the tree looking through the canopy to the ground. The dark spot represents the trunk, while the irregular grey line represents the border of the canopy (the drip line).

Vertimulch Products

• ROOTS M-Roots: This is a standard amendment used to provide organic material and 3-3-3 fertility, all while inoculating with mycorrhizal fungi to increase water and nutrient absorption. The product is mixed with the soil in each hole.
• ROOTS Plant Saver: This is a deluxe vertical mulch treatment and contains a blend of ecto- and endomycorrhizal fungal spores, beneficial rhizosphere bacteria, 4-7-4 fertilizer, organic amendments, and a comprehensive selection of micronutrients designed to restore soil fertility and address the mineral requirements common to many plants.