Mulch plays an important role in residential landscapes.
Benefits
- Reduce the water requirements of plants
- Cool soil temperatures
- Reduce the occurrence of weeds
- Control soil erosion and dust
- Prevent soil compaction
- Visually enhance the landscape
Consequently, mulches are often promoted as being environmentally friendly and a desirable landscape practice.
Unfortunately, despite the positive attributes, many mulches are combustible, a major drawback when used in home landscapes located in wildfire-prone areas.
Keep mulch 3 feet way from anything combustible.
Limb up trees and shrubs to reduce the chance of a fire in the mulch igniting vegetation.
Caution
- Many mulches are combustible
- Keep mulch out of Immediate Zone (0 to 5 feet)
- Limb up trees and shrubs to reduce the chance of a fire in the mulch igniting vegetation