Surface Mulch Installation on the Northshore

Mulch does more than look good. It protects your tree’s root zone, regulates soil temperature, retains moisture, and prevents weeds from competing with your trees. We install quality mulch the right way.

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We're fully trained & certified

Our team of arborists are experts in tree care and can ensure the health of your trees and shrubs.

ISA Arborist SO-11097A

A stylized yellow outline of a fully trained tree with spreading branches and roots, enclosed in a circular border with two dots on either side, set against a transparent background.
Logo with the text “TCIA MEMBER.” The green “TCIA” letters feature a stylized tree above, signifying a certified and fully trained member, with “MEMBER” in bold red capitals below.
A large tree stands in the center of a grassy area with surface mulch installation around its base. Several trucks and cars are parked on a nearby road, and orange cones are set up along the edge of the grass.

Surface Mulch Installation Overview

Mulch isn’t just decorative. It’s a critical part of tree health. When installed properly, mulch creates a buffer between your tree’s root zone and the outside world.

The soil under mulch stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter. It holds moisture longer instead of drying out between waterings. It prevents weeds from establishing and competing with your trees for nutrients and water. Over time, organic mulch breaks down and improves soil structure.

The key is doing it right. Most people pile mulch against the tree trunk like a volcano. That’s actually bad. Mulch should sit on top of the soil, not pressed against the bark. The depth matters too. Too little and it doesn’t work. Too much and you can trap moisture against the trunk and cause problems.

We know how to install mulch so it does its job without creating issues.

Why Proper Mulching Matters

Bare soil around trees is exposed to everything. Sun bakes it hard. Rain washes away the nutrients. Weeds move in. The tree has to work harder to find water and compete for space.

Mulch Protects the Root Zone

Roots live in the top layer of soil. Mulch keeps that area stable, moist, and protected from temperature extremes. Trees with properly mulched root zones perform better.

Saves Water and Reduces Maintenance

Mulch retains moisture so you water less frequently. It blocks weeds so you spend less time pulling them. It's an easy way to reduce maintenance.

Improves Soil Over Time

Organic mulch breaks down slowly, adding organic matter back into the soil. Better soil means better growing conditions for your tree.

A grassy park area with large trees in the foreground features Surface Mulch Installation under the trees, while several black rectangular structures are visible in the background.

How We Install Mulch the Right Way

Most people don’t realize there’s a correct way to mulch. We do it properly so the mulch actually benefits your trees instead of causing problems.

Proper Depth

We install mulch at the right depth. Deep enough to protect and retain moisture, but not so deep that it compacts or traps moisture against the trunk.

Distance From Trunk

Mulch gets pulled back from the tree trunk. This prevents moisture from sitting against the bark where it can cause rot or disease. The mulch ring sits around the drip line, not against the tree.

Quality Mulch

We use high-quality organic mulch that breaks down gradually and improves soil. Not dyed wood chips or rubber. Real mulch that works and is beneficial to the soil it's being applied to.

About Us & Our Expertise

ArborWorks has built its reputation on safe, professional tree removal throughout the Northshore. Our ISA Certified Arborists bring years of hands-on experience to every job, whether you’re dealing with storm damage, diseased trees, or clearing space for new construction. We’re fully licensed and carry both general liability and workman’s compensation insurance, so you can have peace of mind from start to finish.

What sets us apart is how we approach each project. We don’t just show up and start cutting – we take time to assess your property, discuss your goals, and create a detailed removal plan that protects your landscaping and structures. From Covington to Mandeville to Madisonville, we’ve learned how to work with the local trees and weather conditions that define our area. When the job is done, we make sure your property looks clean and ready for whatever comes next.

Hi, I'm Ladson Poole

Owner | ISA Certified Arborist

After leaving a career in corporate sales, Ladson stumbled into arboriculture and quickly fell in love. This year is ArborWorks’ fourth year in business and we plan to continue to serve Mandeville, Covington and the surrounding area for years to come.

What our customers say

We bought our property 8 years ago and the biggest appeal was the beautiful live oaks. We wanted a certified arborist, not just a tree guy, and that’s how we found Ladson with ArborWorks. We really appreciated all the knowledge Ladson has about the trees. They’ve done several jobs and we definitely recommend them to everyone.

Rodriguez Residence

We are very happy with what ArborWorks did for us. We have live oaks that had been neglected for decades, so we did selective pruning instead of straight tree removal. Ladson gave us great tips on tree care and they also left zero footprint after removing hurricane-damaged pine trees. We would definitely recommend them to absolutely anybody.

Guinchard Residence

We had a tree fall down in our backyard after one of the storms. We were looking for a company that was certified and licensed and we found ArborWorks. From the start to the finish they were very professional and courteous. You could not tell that they had been in our backyard after they removed the tree – there were no ruts and everything looks wonderful.

James Residence