Feller Landscape Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Note**

Please - Do not use Cocoa shells as a mulch in your garden.  Many animals (wild or domesticated) have been seriously hurt by ingesting Cocoa shells.

Chocolate/Cocoa shells have even caused death in some cases and is not recommended for any animal. 

 

 

 
 

Serving the Chicagoland counties of DuPage, Kane and Northern Cook.  Over 25 years of experience!

 

 

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...Where Imagination and Design Unite...

 

 

Mulches

 

 

 

 

What mulches are and what they do...

Hardwood, Cypress and Cedar are the three most commonly types of decorative mulches sold today.  Most of which are by-products of the lumber industry.  Each of these differ in appearance and function.

The main purpose of mulch is to hold moisture, retard weeds, maintain even soil temperatures and provide a decorative appearance. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cypress Mulch

Cypress trees typically grow in the swamp lands of Florida and southern Georgia.  There are two basic types: Grade 'A' (all bark) and Grade 'B' which is 'Premium Cypress'.

Grade 'A' is just the bark.  It is the Cadillac of mulches.  It has a reddish brown color and looks great in any landscape.

Grade 'B' is the whole tree, shredded bark and all.  This is the most popular type of cypress mulch.  It has a reddish tan color with a woody appearance.  This mulch will brighten a heavily shaded area and does will in damp areas.

By nature, Cypress mulch decomposes very slowly, is resistant to decay, repels insects and maintains its appearance for a long time.  When Cypress mulch is initially installed, it will be 'fluffy' and will settle.  Shredded Cypress mulch is not chunky in appearance, but has rather longer and slender pieces that will 'knit' together.  This knitting together of pieces is what makes Cypress mulch such a good weed preventer.

Cypress mulch is dark gold when installed and will gray out over time.  An occasional turning and fluffing will give it a newly applied appearance.  Since this mulch does not decay as fast as hardwood mulch, only a top-dressing may be needed the next season.

The nutritional value of Cypress mulch is much lower than Hardwood mulch, so the use of any fertilizers will have to be adjusted.  Cypress mulch can also be more expensive than Hardwood mulch.