I wonder if that 12 inches of surface mulch is rotting the trunk of the tree. It is easy to kill young trees if they sink into the planting ... suckers from the roots or base of this tree.

The trunk flare is the point where the base of the tree widens out just before roots begin. In heavy clay soils, I prefer to plant trees high, with the trunk flare 2 to 4 inches above grade.

What to do when 'suckers' sprout from the base of a tree ... Keep the wood mulch at least 3 inches away from the tree trunk. I've used this method for years with fantastic results.

There are also spikes at the base to help stabilize the tree, and the base has a lovely design. Additional specs: Supports trees of 8 feet tall with a 5 inch trunk . L.L. BEAN $149.00 ...

A minimum of three stakes near the trunk are needed for protection. (Likewise, a ring of mulch at the base of a tree protects the trunk by eliminating the need for a lawnmower to venture near it.

Incidentally, what I’ve just gone over also explains why it is so damaging to bash mowing equipment at the base of a young tree’s trunk or damage it with string trimmers.

I get lots of pictures of sick trees. Most of the time the first photo sent to me is a declining canopy. Maybe a picture of an ugly leaf. After ...