Spring is here, and so is the practice of homeowners and landscape contractors alike forming "volcanoes." Volcanoes - those unsightly and nonhorticultural mounds of soil and mulch around the trunks of trees. Mulch piled up against the trunk can cause three forms of girdling. One involves rotting of the bark due to the moist mulch. Once the bark rots away from the hardwood, the flow of water and nutrients is disrupted, which effectively girdles the tree. Also, the moist mulch is a perfect breeding ground for disease and fungus. Another form of girdling involves the roots. If mulch is piled around the trunk, the roots will start to grow into it. These roots tend to stay in the "volcano" and then grow around the trunk. As the root grows in diameter, it pushes against the trunk, which is also trying to grow bigger. This "girdling root" will eventually strangle the trunk. The third form of girdling involves rodents. The deep mulch, supplying protection from the weather and predators, is a perfect habitat for them. They chew off the bark, which can cause disruption in the flow of water and nutrients, therefore girdling the tree. ILCA has previously printed warnings about this practice in monthly Hints and full-length articles, but the practice continues. The mulch layer should be no more than 2 to 3 inches thick and never be placed against the trunk. Properly applied, mulch is an important amendment. The most important tip of the month - stop forming volcanoes!

Naturalize daffodil bulbs by removing them from flowerbeds after blooms have faded, and immediately transplanting to where they can remain year round such as edges of woods and ground cover beds. It is not wise to leave bulbs in annual beds, which will receive a lot of water during the summer. So why not 'recycle' them? Water one time immediately after transplanting and let the leaves die back.

Check pine trees early in the month for Zimmerman pine moths, which cause clear or white resin to drip down the tree trunk and branches. Check for European pine sawflies (larva with a small, dark green body and a shiny black head), which work in groups to eat last year's growth. Mugo pine is a commonly affected plant. Check deciduous trees, especially crab apple, apple and cherry, for Eastern tent caterpillars (black with white stripes) that form silk tents in tree branch crotches. Early control is simply removing the tents. Check for aphids (approximately one-eighth inch long, bright green insects) feeding on new growth, particularly on crab apple, ash, hawthorn and spirea. Leaves will appear wet where insects are feeding. Minor infestations have only an aesthetic effect.

Set mower blades high. Grass that is 2-3 inches tall encourages longer, healthier roots, withstands the heat better and requires less watering.

Cut small amounts (less than one inch) off the grass at a time. Leave the clippings on the lawn to provide moisture to the lawn.

Keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades tear grass, which weakens the plants.

Your lawn does not need to be watered every day. A good soaking every 3 to 5 days is perfect for a healthy lawn.

Grass beginning to turn brown during dry conditions has become dormant and will revive after normal rainfall.

Aim sprinklers to only water plants, not the sidewalks or driveways.

Use mulch around trees and plants to retain moisture.

Drip irrigation systems are effective for watering plants without wasting water.