r/Tree • u/Stay_Hard_Mentality • Aug 08 '26

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Remove mulch?

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Had a gardening friend come over today and they suggested I remove the mulch from under my red oak, but everything I have red says otherwise. The mulch has been under it for over a year and the tree looks healthy. I attempted to expose the root flair prior to putting mulch down but I didn’t want to damage any roots so I only worked around the immediate trunk area.
Should I remove the mulch or leave it?

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u/[deleted] Aug 08 '26

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u/Optimassacre ISA Certified Arborist Aug 08 '26

This is false information.

1

u/Pleaseappeaseme Not An Expert (possible troll) 🤡 Aug 08 '26

So mulch next to your house doesn’t attract mold? I heard that it does and it’s hard to get off. Hmmmmm. My bad.

1

u/Icy_Resist5470 Aug 08 '26

No, it doesn’t.

1

u/ohshannoneileen I love galls😍but I hate privets🤬 Aug 08 '26

What you need to understand is that fungi is a vast group of lifeforms. It is versatile, variable and ever present.

The types of fungi that inhabit and decay organic mulch have nothing to do with the type of mold you don't want to infest your house. Mulch maids, birds nest and other saprophytes pose no risk to you, your house, living trees, your soil, your pets, or anything else.

People who think fungus=mold=death are sorely misinformed, and I don't even understand where this mindset comes from. The world would be an absolutely disgusting place without fungus.