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FitzRightYardServices

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Any suggestions are welcomed either
novice or experienced. I have mulched the trees on the property twice now and each time by season end this is the result.

The only thing that I can think of is using small boulders other than that I have no idea.

86CD82F3-1EA2-4799-9F41-17AC46E7CF07.jpeg
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Hurryupelectric said:
Has a shallow ring trench been dug around the circumference? The bulge around the tree looks like a pretty high dome, that can't be made a more shallow slope? I've always liked the sprawling jasmine ground cover around trees if the routine trimming isn't a problem.
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This property is not one of my lawn customers, I only provide spring and fall clean ups. The property has 9 trees total some of which I have trenched the others have massive root systems.
Crazy 4 grass said:
Grab a flat shovel, cut in a much deeper natural edge, 3-4 inches or so. Straight up and down at the grass tapering back into the mulch. This creates a well defined line and culvert for the mulch. Mulch can not flow out into the grass.
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Already did that to some of the other trees. A couple of them have high domes and the root system goes all the way out. Each time that I did the job everything looks great until, I show up in the fall to do a clean up.
 
#5 ·
I'd remove the fabric personally. It causes the mulch to slide off too easily. If you aren't mowing it, then you can't see that the mowing person is likely blowing a little out every time they mow because they likely do a poor job keeping clippings out of it. If you put rocks around it, the mow guy will hate you for it.

That's called job security having to keep doing it more often. You should be upsetting much in the fall also.
 
#6 ·
Youngandfree said:
I'd remove the fabric personally. It causes the mulch to slide off too easily. If you aren't mowing it, then you can't see that the mowing person is likely blowing a little out every time they mow because they likely do a poor job keeping clippings out of it. If you put rocks around it, the mow guy will hate you for it.

That's called job security having to keep doing it more often. You should be upsetting much in the fall also.
Click to expand...
What is the difference in for the lawn guy? I'm imagining a trench would require trimming around and also a stick edger, rocks would require a tad more involved trimming but no stick edger. And honestly if it were me, I'd despise trimming around the mulch the most as it is in the photo.

How classy are these people? I mean would I simple metal border suffice? Spike it in, it never moves, the mulch lasts, and I think it's ideal for the lawn service to trim. Well, no trees would be ideal for the lawn service ;)

What type of trees? I might go as far as to read about the species and how the root system grows. You could then make a judgment call on notching the exposed roots to allow a flush border installation.

I think the level of client expectations plays a big role in the final direction. Do they require tasteful or do they just want the mulch to stay put.
 
#7 ·
Hurryupelectric said:
What is the difference in for the lawn guy? I'm imagining a trench would require trimming around and also a stick edger, rocks would require a tad more involved trimming but no stick edger. And honestly if it were me, I'd despise trimming around the mulch the most as it is in the photo.

How classy are these people? I mean would I simple metal border suffice? Spike it in, it never moves, the mulch lasts, and I think it's ideal for the lawn service to trim. Well, no trees would be ideal for the lawn service ;)

What type of trees? I might go as far as to read about the species and how the root system grows. You could then make a judgment call on notching the exposed roots to allow a flush border installation.

I think the level of client expectations plays a big role in the final direction. Do they require tasteful or do they just want the mulch to stay put.
Click to expand...
The grass can grow up in the cracks of the rocks that your string trimmer can't reach.
 
#8 ·
The first picture the ring is there.
The second picture looks like the ring need to be bigger more level.
Other then that. I would continue to do what you are doing.
Maybe suggest that when mowing use a trimmer around them.
I have places that I trim weekly.
That I have not had to edge in years.
It's almost impossible to edge tree rings without going out as far as the canopy. To not be hitting roots the whole time
Other then that raises the lawn around the tree ring.
 
#10 ·
Natural edges do not require an edger.
Natural edges require a redefinement with a shovel, once a year before mulching.
Vertically string trimming the edge weekly with mowing, will keep the edge looking great the rest of time.

I agree with removing the landscaping fabric, lowering the dirt around the trunk and expanding the size of the ring.
 
#11 ·
Crazy 4 grass said:
Natural edges do not require an edger.
Natural edges require a redefinement with a shovel, once a year before mulching.
Vertically string trimming the edge weekly with mowing, will keep the edge looking great the rest of time.

I agree with removing the landscaping fabric, lowering the dirt around the trunk and expanding the size of the ring.
Click to expand...
I generally go around beds like this with an edger, is that a poor choice of tool for the job? I edge 99% of my accounts walkway edges and beds with a blade edger. I just hit everything because I already have it in my hands.
 
#12 ·
Hurryupelectric said:
I generally go around beds like this with an edger, is that a poor choice of tool for the job? I edge 99% of my accounts walkway edges and beds with a blade edger. I just hit everything because I already have it in my hands.
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Either tool will work just fine, whatever is more handy.
 
#13 ·
I use my Stihl bed redefiner attachment for the annual redefining. It wears the bed redefining blade once a year and then is switched to a sidewalk edging blade the rest of the season.

Up to this point though I have only used the sidewalk edging blade against hard surfaces. I have never tried it on natural edges like this. I have always just use the string trimmer.

I will have to give your method a whirl
 
#14 ·
Crazy 4 grass said:
I use my Stihl bed redefiner attachment for the annual redefining. It wears the bed redefining blade once a year and then is switched to a sidewalk edging blade the rest of the season.

Up to this point though I have only used the sidewalk edging blade against hard surfaces. I have never tried it on natural edges like this. I have always just use the string trimmer.

I will have to give you a method a whirl
Click to expand...
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. I know one can get fast with string but I fly around with the blade. I've completely stopped trying to get fast with vertical string. It's a much tighter route around the yard when you go from walkway to bed to sidewalk to bed ect based on what's the next closest thing.
 
#19 ·
Johnny Outside said:
I've always used a flat blade shovel to create natural edges. You can make a nice clean trench to help hold in the new mulch.
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That age of a tree. Will be fighting roots the whole way around.
To get a nice trench.
Technically it is to small .
Making it big. Then the grass will fill in better around it.
 
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FitzRightYardServices
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