Is Eastern Red Cedar the Best Mulch to Use?

Determine Your Needs

• Consider site, function and cost before choosing mulch, Colorado State University Extension advises. Does your site consist of an area of trees, shrubs, perennials and fruit? Will you need to disturb the site every year for annual flowers and vegetables? When considering function take into account the potential for soil improvement, frequency of reapplication and appearance. Cost will depend upon local availability, the product itself, size of the area and depth of application. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of eastern red cedar mulch in light of these needs, and then choose what is practical and available in your area.

Advantages of Eastern Red Cedar Mulch

• Eastern red cedar, a softwood tree, provides mulch that breaks down slowly, lasting longer than mulch made from hardwoods that decompose more rapidly. Breaking down slowly makes cedar more resistant to decay. Its natural blond, light-red color is in contrast with the brown tones of other mulches, and resists fading. You can install cedar mulch easily because of its light weight. Cedar mulch has a pleasant and distinctive smell. Research by entomologists at North Carolina State University suggests that the aroma may help control Argentine ants and odorous house ants.

Disadvantages

• When organic products decompose, they add organic matter to the soil and produce healthier plants. Because eastern red cedar mulch decomposes more slowly than hardwood mulches from oak, elm or maple trees, it takes a long time to provide nutrient value to the soil. Eastern red cedar mulch may cost more than some other mulches, prohibiting its use in vegetable or annual flowerbeds where you need to cultivate the soil every year.

Promoting Its Use

• There is a movement in some states to remove eastern red cedars and promote the marketing of mulch and other products made from these trees, because they are viewed as invasive. A mature red cedar tree consumes an estimated 30 or more gallons of water per day, and cedar pollen, as one of the top three most abundant pollens, is an allergen. It is a misconception that red cedar mulch is toxic to young plants, according to Colorado State University Extension, since the tree is actually a juniper.