mulch tree
I do not know a lot about best tree practices.

In the last couple of years as I walk around the neighbourhood I noticed the city had added wood chips to the base of probably more than 100 trees in the local parks and along the road.

This may be a goods idea. Although most woodlots would have decaying matter on the ground I don’t recall ever seeing it bunched up about the trunk like this.

I suppose there is a good reason for this – does anyone know what it is?

I once watched ants destroy the bark on a tree in our back yard by nesting at the base. By the time they were done I pushed the 20+ foot tree over with one arm.

What is the theory behind these wood chip piles?

Why are the piles higher on the trees closer to the road?

All a mystery to me.

Clearly they don't stop grass and weeds. And the chips tend to get knocked about (wind, winter). A bit of a mess sometime.

Please add a comment if you have any thoughts on this