Mower and trimmer injuries are a leading cause of tree loss in urban areas. Damage to bark and cambium tissue disrupts nutrient flow and can girdle trees—severing their vascular system and causing death. Recent surveys show widespread bark wounds across Lexington’s canopy, representing preventa ble losses that simple protection measures can eliminate. The Tree Board recommends using expandable, ventilated trunk protectors that: Improvised barriers such as drainage pipe are not recommended, as they restrict airflow and trap moisture against the bark. While trunk protectors provide valuable mechanical protection, mulching with arborist wood chips remains the preferred method. A proper mulch ring eliminates mower contact entirely, while also conserving moisture and moderating soil temperature. Refer to the City’s mulch flyer on the Tree Board website for best practices. For trees that cannot be mulched regularly, trunk protectors offer reliable protection. The post Lexington Tree Board Recommends Tree Protectors to Prevent Mower Damage to Young Trees appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less