Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are a series of commonly asked questions, and there corresponding answers. If your question is not answered please then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Does it kill weeds?
Scotbark Ornamental Bark Mulch does not kill plant life whatsoever. It is weed suppression capacity arises as a result of a purely physical barrier to the germinating weed seed. Windblown weed seeds land on the mulch surface, are washed down to the soil by rainwater and germinate on the soil surface but then the shoot is deflected along the soil surface under the bark until it runs out of vigour and dies off. Established plants with strong shoots, bulbs such as crocus and snowdrops, will come through every year as usual.
What about bedding plants?
Bedding plants thrive in a soil protected from extremes of cold and heat, drought and waterlogging. Simply clear the bark from the area to be planted (this could be a small area for a single plant or the entire bed for mass planting) and replace the bark around the plants after planting. The plants will flourish and no further maintenance will be required other than initial watering.
What is the PH of bark and does it make the ground acid?
The pH of Scotbark Ornamental Bark Mulch is on the acid side of neutral (7) in the range of 5-6 (peat is usually in the range of 3-3.5) and since it lies on the soil surface allowing passage of rainwater and air to the soil it has no deleterious effect on soil pH.
How long does it last?
Being composed mainly of pine bark with consequent high levels of lignin content, Scotbark Ornamental Bark Mulch will last for years. Some mulches laid 5 years ago are still as effective as when first laid. Occasional topping up maybe necessary where soil shows through as a result of interference by animals, birds or cultivation techniques.
Is it good for the ground?
Ornamental Bark Mulch does not supply nutrients to the soil. These must be supplied in the normal way i.e. liquid feeds applied by watering can or dry chemicals applied to the surface of the bark. Rain will wash the fertiliser through the bark to the soil. But of course, Ornamental Bark Mulch is good for the soil in a number of ways.
a) Regulation of Soil Temperature
Plants are protected from the effects of fluctuating soil temperature as a result of summer sun or winter frosts.
b) Regulation of Soil Moisture
The Soil is protected from drought in hot summer weather and the full force of summer thunderstorms is dissipated by the bark, reducing loss of nutrients by leaching.
Can the soil still 'breathe'?
A soil with good structure has a soil atmosphere, i.e. air spaces between the soil particles. Scotbark Ornamental Bark Mulch has an open porous structure and so contact between the ambient air and the soil air or atmosphere is maintained.
What about Terpenes?
Bark protects the tree throughout its life from attack by numerous life forms and accordingly has a diverse range of organic compounds in its make-up. 'Terpenes' are one particular group of compounds present in fresh bark which are known to have adverse effects on plant growth.
Accordingly if fresh bark is incorporated in soil adjacent to plant roots, the plant may be affected by terpenes. However, during the composting process these compounds are votalised (become gaseous) and diffuse into the atmosphere.
In short, terpenes are not present in composted bark and so may be disregarded and there has never been any case of harm being caused to growing plants by any of the Scotbark ornamental mulching grades. "The terpenes content in Pine Bark is so low that it is innocuous." -Quote 'Margaret Smith' (Scotbark is 83% Scots Pine).
Is it true that bark combats plant disease?
There is a large amount of experimental research work showing very definite inhibition of a number of plant root diseases by composed bark. These include RHIZOCTONIA, PYTHIUM, PHYTOPHTHORA, tomato root knot and forsythia parasitic nematodes.
The exact mechanisms involved are not yet proven but some anti-biotic effect is suspected arising from micro-organisms in the bark. In addition, the improved root environment i.e. improved aeration and drainage is also through to be an important factor in maintaining healthy roots.
Does bark take up nitrogen or other nutrients from the soil?
When used as a surface mulch, bark has no effect whatsoever on the soil nutrients. It does not supply nutrients to the soil nor does it take up nutrients from the soil.
When used as a soil conditioner or in tree planting, bark does cause a reduction in the amount of nutrients available to plants but as the bark is biologically decomposed these nutrients are released again into the soil. Thus bark acts as a slow release fertiliser.
Accordingly, in order to maximise all the benefits to be obtained from the use of bark, the soil should be well fertilised prior to or at the same time as incorporation of the bark.