Bagels Not Volcanoes

My friends and family have this motto memorized forever and ever now: Bagels not Volcanoes! They know thanks to my constant reminders, pop quizzes and the image below that mulch should never touch the trunk of the tree, it should go out and away not up the tree trunk. This rots away the bark and the base of the tree, reducing nutrients, weakening the whole tree and slowly decaying within several years. Someone started the trend of mulching wrong and everyone thinks that's the way to do it, so they do it too. End the cycle!

Wednesday's training is Kung Fu as always. Conditioning isn't always conventional, it can be anything from  an obstacle course to running stadium bleachers. Tomorrow will be stadium bleachers with my classmates!

Until my volunteer arborist class with Treekeepers and Openlands I have never even noticed or though about how mulch should be used. It affects whether a tree grows to be 80 years old and provide decades of shade and clean air, or rots away at 10 years old.

Please consider making a donation to Openlands if you're inspired by my 300 miles in 3 days ride.