There are two main reasons for “weeding”. One is to reduce the incidence of weeds likely to affect you or your neighbour such as ragwort, creeping thistle, docks or another acknowledged agricultural weed. The other is to promote the growth of the tree by reducing competition.
Research shows that to maintain a weed / grass free ring of 1m diameter around young trees for the first three years of their growth will help enhance tree growth rate and improve chances of survival. A weed / grass-free ring can be created in a number of ways including fitting a mulch mat at planting, chemical application, mulching with materials such as straw after planting and / or physical weeding.
Chemical or mulching?
The difference is in the environmental impact. If a contractor is employed, chemical weeding will reduce costs and take less time. Applications will be needed once or twice a year and should only be done by trained individuals. Please ensure only chemicals that cause mimimum long-term environmental damage are used if this is your approach.
Mulching can be carried out by people with a mimum of training. The weed-free ring can be created by using a thick layer of bark chips, squares of old carpet, mulch mats or straw bales. Placing mulch mats can be an enjoyable activity for volunteers, put please makes sure they are heavy enough not to blow away! Bark chipping may need topping up annually.
Noxious weeds such as ragwort, thistles, dock and giant hogweed are noticeable weeds that you have a duty to control adjacent to agricultural land. Other options for weed control including a higher planting density to achieve a faster canopy closure.
Go back to caring for your trees