Question
I am about 5 miles from the Maryland coast in a wooded community. I have planted my second American dogwood in sandy to clay soil. The first died from what I believe was from geting wet feet. This one I planted high and it seems to be doing well. My question concerns the mulch under the tree. I have used shredded hardwood bark which lasts but ends up pretty well packed after a season. Should I rake this loose in the spring to allow more air to get to the roots or will the raking damage the root system? I have also recently read that hardwood mulch actually promotes some diseases and I wonder if it should be removed and replaced with something like pine bark?  

Answer
Jack,

It is always good to turn over the mulch a few times a year, this will promote better air flow and help to disturb weed development.

Treated hard wood mulch will not transmit the root rot or canker diseases that are prevelant in fresh wood chips.

Good luck with the Dogwood.
Ed Gulliksen