I live in Central Florida and have a few mature, 10 years old and about 10 feet high, Kumquat trees. What is the best material to mulch with in such a hot climate. Currently, a lot of grass is growing under one tree that I would like to dress up? Thanks. Fred P.S. This is my first post and I did not see any forums addressing this issue. Update: I check with my local Agricultural Extension in my county. According to one of the master gardners, due to the possibility of disease, he recommended just pulling out the grass and just fill in with some dirt. NO MULCH.
Your county agent is correct. Mulch around a citrus tree is not a good idea. The problem with mulch, and grass for that matter, is that it keeps the area around the tree's trunk damp. Dampness, and lawn watering that touches the trunk, is one of the main causes of citrus foot rot. It is best to keep the area near a citrus tree in plain dirt. - Millet (1,262-)
