At any home improvement store you can find bags and bags of Cypress mulch for sale. After all Cypress mulch is one of the most popular mulches among gardeners, and landscapers. However, have you ever stopped to think about where Cypress mulch comes from? Of course you probably already knew that Cypress mulch comes from Cypress tree’s but, are you aware of what an important ecological role Cypress tree’s play?
Cypress trees are found throughout Florida, as well as surrounding states. It naturally filters pollutants and serves as a reservoir for floodwater, making it essential for protecting ground water in both quality, and quantity. The Cypress tree is also home for many creatures such as wood storks, limpkins, bobcats, owls, and woodpeckers. Some in which are vanishing at a rapid pace.
You will not find many old Cypress trees left standing. Most of the larger Cypress trees have already been cut down and used to make lumber, and mulch. The Cypress tree can live as long as 1500 years, and grow at tall as 150 high with a girth of 25 feet. If you are lucky you might come across an old Cypress tree that’s still standing, but they aren’t but a handful left.
Cypress mulch actually started as a by-product of the Cypress lumber. Once the lumber was cut, the shavings, and chips would be bagged as mulch. However, with the high demand for Cypress mulch, whole Cypress trees are now being used only for the purpose of mulch. Entire forest of Cypress trees have been cut down, just to meet the Cypress mulch demand. When a Cypress tree is cut down, another one is not planted in it’s place. It is very difficult to germinate a Cypress tree. In most cases the area is either taken over by invasive plants, cleared for land development, or pine is planted for logging purposes. Either way the Cypress tree, wildlife, and wetland is lost forever.
In the 1950’s Cypress mulch gained the reputation for being rot, and termite resistant. However, it takes many years for a Cypress tree to grow the heartwood needed to have these properties. The Cypress trees that are rot and termite resistant are long gone, except for a handful. Most of the older Cypress trees are now protected in nature preserves. The young Cypress trees in which mulch is now made from is not old enough to be rot, or pest resistant, and doesn’t serve as a superior mulch.
There are several alternatives to using Cypress mulch, some in which are cheaper, and more attractive:
Recycle:
Mulch made by your county, or city recycled from urban plant debris is inexpensive, and even free in some areas. To find out where you can pick up your recycled mulch contact you local Solid Waste Department, or County Extension Service.
Pine:
Pine bark can be found at any home improvement store, and is often cheaper then Cypress mulch. Pine bark is an excellent much, that in long lasting, and keeps its color a long time.
Pine and Leaves:
You can buy Pine straw by the bales or rake it for free. Recycling pine straw, and Oak leaves are a great way to mulch your flowerbeds without spending a dime. Usually by the time the Pine, or Oak leaves decompose, it’s time to rake again anyway. Decomposing leaves also encourages worms to set up house under the leaves in the soil. Worms are great for helping your plants grow, because they keep the soil irrigated.
Melaleuca Mulch:
Melaleuca is a non-native, invasive tree that has already taken over 500,000 acres of the Florida Everglades. Turing this tree into mulch, not only gets rid of the the tree, but also allows room for native trees to grow. The mulch is called Enviromulch, or Florimulch. It is somewhat new on the market however, the more people ask for it, the more likely the store is to request it. Melaleuca Mulch is long lasting, and is termite resistant.
Pro-mulch:
Pro-mulch is made from recycled rubber tires. It stays in place, last forever, and is not toxic. Pro-mulch is usually used in playgrounds to create a rubber type flooring under play equipment. Pro-mulch is a great recycling alternative to Cypress mulch, however it is expensive.
By not using Cypress mulch you are helping save a valued tree. Saving a tree might not be one the top of the priority list for everyone, but saving money usually is. By using an alternative such as Pine bark which is equally as effective as Cypress mulch you will not over save a tree, but also a few dollars. It’s something to at least think about the next time you decide to spread mulch.
