Should I use mulch on a topped tree?

• <div><p>A light layer of <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/best-tree-mulch.htm">mulch can help protect a tree</a>, retain moisture, and keep the soil healthy. However, it’s important to avoid over-mulching or piling the mulch up around the trunk of a tree, a practice notoriously called “volcano mulching.” That piled mulch can increase the chances of rot and disease on the tree trunk as well as overwhelming the soil, which needs access to a certain amount of air. Topped trees have it hard enough: mulch sparingly while they heal.</p></div>

What goes down first, topsoil or mulch?

• <div><p>Topsoil should go down first. If the topsoil is next to your house, make sure the grade slopes away from the house to keep water from pooling against your foundation and possibly leaking into your basement or crawl space. Don’t cover your decorative landscape mulch with topsoil as that defeats the purpose of laying down the mulch. If you’re trying to create a certain <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-can-you-improve-plant-growth-start-improving-your-soil.htm">soil composition to improve plant growth</a>, you’ll likely want compost mixed into the topsoil instead of mulch. Over time, any decorative wood mulch will simply decompose under the topsoil. </p></div>

What size landscape boulders should I choose for my yard?

• <div><p>The <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/what-size-river-rock-is-best-for-landscaping.htm">best size rock for your landscaping</a> depends on the design, as different boulders serve different purposes. If you want to group boulders to create a natural-looking cluster, you’ll need a range of sizes. Otherwise, here are some suggestions:</p><ul><li><p>Small boulders (smaller than 12 inches across): Best for landscape edging and fire pits </p></li><li><p>Medium boulders (12–24 inches): Best for retaining walls and water features</p></li><li><p>Large boulders (more than 24 inches): Best as standalone landscaping features, steps, or walkways.</p></li></ul><p>Of course, you can mix and match sizes to create a unique display.</p></div>

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Q: What are the main benefits of topsoil?

• <div><p>The main benefit of topsoil is that it enriches the soil with nutrients that help your plants and garden grow at a healthy rate. Topsoil improves how well your soil drains water and gives it a more fertile texture, so that not only do you get better planting, but weeding is also much easier.</p></div>

Q: Can you put gravel directly on dirt?

• <div><p>While you can put gravel directly on dirt, it won&rsquo;t be very stable. It also won&rsquo;t block out any weeds. Most experts recommend layering weed barrier and a layer of packed sand or other foundation material to prevent the gravel from sinking into the earth and being overtaken by weeds.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Mulch And Topsoil Service pros in Royal Oak, MD

*The Angi rating for Mulch And Topsoil Service companies in Royal Oak, MD is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Mulch And Topsoil Service needs.

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Last update on November 14, 2025

Reviewed in February 2024
Garden Warrior arrived on time, and she did an excellent job of cleaning leaves, bark mulch, limb debris, and pinecones from my yard. I would definitely hire her again when I need mulch and planting help in my garden.
Garden Warrior, LLC
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Reviewed in January 2022
They came out the next morning after I asked online for a quote. They walked with me around the whole property that included 100 ft. along a bulkhead along the Chester River. Showed them where the aluminum bulkhead had become pitted because the Chester is brackish water. They suggested the type...
Rivera Landscaping
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Reviewed in May 2019
This started out with me hiring another person to cut down a tree, very large, leaving an astronomical size stump, which I hired someone else to grind down, that was not sufficiently completed. I am so glad and satisfied that Lazaro Construction answered and he did a wonderful job, the ground is...
Alfaro Construction
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Reviewed in September 2012
Shannon came out and bid the job accurately. He took the time to walk over the land to see what needed to be done. We had to wait until the rain came through and the ground was dry before he came out. He always returned phone calls in a timely manner and kept us in the loop with the weather...
Duncan Land Clearing
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Reviewed in June 2011
Initally the owner of Bay Tree Service, Chris, came to our property for an estimate on the job we were requesting. We were told that the county required a permit for tree removal and that Bay Tree Service would get the permit for us. We hired Bay Tree Service to remove trees, grind stumps...
BAY TREE SVC
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Reviewed in July 2010
Terrible. Don't pay this man in advance! He did most of the garden work and it looked good. He raked the leaves from the groundcover into piles on the grass and left a stack of branches piled among the bushes. I paid him the $300 we had agreed upon because I work long hours and wasn't sure I...
Urias Landscaping
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Landscape Yard or Garden Installation

Gravel or Loose Fill Paving Install, Spread or Scrape

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ShoreShot LawnCare LLC

ShoreShot LawnCare LLC

Down to Earth Landscaping

Down to Earth Landscaping

Bowens lawn service LLC

Bowens lawn service LLC

Shore Creations Lawn Care

Shore Creations Lawn Care

R&B Eastern Shore Landscaping LLC.

R&B Eastern Shore Landscaping LLC.

CDI Services LLC

CDI Services LLC

shore lawn care and landscaping

shore lawn care and landscaping

Absolute Lawn Care

Absolute Lawn Care

The Turf Surgeon

The Turf Surgeon

Huffman Lawn Care

Huffman Lawn Care

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