You’re very welcome. Just bear in mind, your mileage may vary, but not by mulch…much.

Thank you. Luckily, I’m not in an HOA and am able to mimic the natural landscaping environment of the Amazon rainforest and jungles of Southeast Asia.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yeah, totally. Specific to your situation, I would do sheet mulching to suppress and kill off your lawn.

The mulching and therefore, the long term creation of healthy soil is an absolute requirement for the growing of tropical fruit trees.

It’s a labor of love.

I use both. Assuming you are referring to fresh compost that you made, it’s likely not going to be enough.

Nice. You’re mimicking the natural cycle of forest, which can get some wildfire.

​@@TropicalCentralValleyand the farmer's in the 1800s who used wood stoves to cook with and put the ashes back into their food gardens

That’s a neat trick, adding lots of carbon back into the ground.

This is normal behavior as the roots of the trees search for and suck up nutrients, some of which are broken wood chip. This is a sign of a healthy tree. That said, the majority of the roots unseen are under the ground.

It's funny that your jujube has rooted into the ground... I've done experiments over the years and found that you can actually plant a fruit tree without ever digging into the ground. I made a mound out of compost last year on gravel and planted a bareroot apple tree and it has amazingly grown really well over the year. It makes me think that anyone can transform any land even if they think it is marginal and barren.

Deciduous trees reabsorb the nutrients from leaves in preparation for winter. The tree essentially go into hibernation during winter, not needing any warmth.

Yeah, trees can grow in just about anything, some are just pickier (think mango trees). As long as the growing medium or soil has sufficient darkness, pH, nutrients, oxygen and water, trees will have no problems growing.

Luckily, I don’t have any mole or ground pest issues. That said, I know bubble gum works wonders on controlling their population as they are unable to digest the gum. As for termite, the conditions in my yard do now allow them to live. The mulch is too hot when applied and the winter is too cold. Furthermore, other insects in my yard makes good meal of any termites. It’s all about a balanced ecosystem that, when combined, helps to foster the growth of the trees.

It depends on the tropical in question, but generally, yes. Most tropical fruit trees are semi deciduous, however, it’s hard to tell when they shed their leaves, as the process isn’t as dramatic. Here’s a video I did that touches on the topic: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rtuXeMdy0bXblJc.htmlsi=eMxB2F83y8B3W2Bu

Yes, I would do a quick Google for the term “Visalia tree service”. In my case, there were more than 50 local companies that showed up. I simply called some of the first ones on the list.

@@TropicalCentralValley thank you

You’re very welcome.

This place gives free mulch when they have it near your area. You do have to take the full load.

I’m not sure which place you were referring to, but just about every tree servicing company will drop off a load.

Local tree service companies. I’d look them up and give some a call. They’re more than happy to stop by and drop off a load.

​@@TropicalCentralValley a few tree cutting companies in my local area that use to give away free wood chips now charges. I asked why the change, apparently since Covid and with inflation so bad they have to find other ways to make another source of income.

I don’t know if their rational makes sense, as the dump sites charge them for disposal of the wood chips.