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The Best Tree Rings for Growing Healthy Trees
Last updated: Mar 12, 2024Trees take years to grow, and they’re most vulnerable during their early years. Their trunks are still relatively soft and sensitive, and dry seasons can seriously affect the growth of a young tree. To ensure that your tree will have a solid foundation to work with as it grows for decades to come, you’ll need to provide it the protection and nutrition it needs to get through its infancy. With a great tree ring, this becomes a much easier task. You’ll find them to be very convenient for trees and other plants as well.
A properly placed tree ring can help your tree in many ways. It can protect your tree from damage, keep it hydrated, and even defend against weed growth. All these benefits come from one simple gardening item. So, we’ve scoured the Internet and found five of the best tree rings money can buy online. Here is a list of our top picks for tree rings in 2024.
Show contentsComparing the Best Tree Rings of 2024- Envelor Coco Coir Fiber Tree Rings - Best Overall
- EBaokuup Non-Woven Tree Mulch Ring - Runner Up
- Rocky Mountain Tree Mulch Ring - Honorable Mention
- Trademark Innovations MULCHRING - Contender
- ANPHSIN Mulch Ring Tree Protector - Also Consider
Best Tree Rings Buying GuideBest Tree Rings Buying Guide
Tree rings are one of the best ways to support a tree’s growth during its early years. Here’s what you need to know about tree rings, as well as what you need to look for when buying one.
What is a tree ring?
A tree ring is a circle of mulch or some other material that covers the soil around a young tree. It is placed there to provide nutrients to the tree, control water intake, inhibit nearby weed growth, and prevent lawn mowers and tools from damaging the tree.
Why is it important to have a tree ring?
It protects trees from lawn equipment
Lawn equipment can potentially damage the roots of your growing tree, so having a tree ring cover up the roots prevents this from happening.
It stops weed growth
Weeds can also inhibit the growth of trees by draining the nearby soil of nutrients. Most tree rings prevent any weeds from growing beneath the ring.
Things to consider when buying a tree ring
These factors are worth remembering when buying your tree rings.
Number of pieces
Tree rings can be used for years at a time, so don’t buy too many of them. Have one or two rings per tree, with the second ring only needed for emergencies.
Size
When it comes to size, only consider the diameter of the mulch ring itself, not the opening in the center. You can always cut the hole wider yourself later. The larger the mulch ring is, the larger the area is covered and protected by mulch.
Types of tree rings
Mulch tree rings
Mulch tree rings are the classic choice and the most common type of tree ring. They’re eco-friendly and look great when placed on the ground. They also hold water very well and can even inhibit the growth of weeds directly beneath them. This gives more nutrients to the tree and lets it grow faster.
Weed mat rings
Commonly made out of polyethylene or some other plastic or fabric, weed mat rings are the “artificial” counterpart of mulch tree rings. Despite being made out of plastic, these rings are completely safe to use and do not inhibit the flow of water or air into and out of the soil.
Rubber tree rings
Rubber tree rings are another alternative to mulch tree rings. Though made out of synthetic materials, rubber tree rings can often be mistaken for mulch. They can be made to appear nearly identical to mulch tree rings in texture and color.
Comparing the Best Tree Rings of 2024
1Envelor Coco Coir Fiber Tree Rings
– Best OverallWe’re starting off this list with the best all-around choice. You may be wondering what the point of this list is with the first product being the best of the bunch, but the other rings have great traits of their own that make them worth considering, too. However, this tree ring set has everything you need to get started. The rings are available in different sizes, ranging from 4 inches all the way to 24 inches. They also come in several pack sizes, from 3 to 20, letting you pick the best value for what you need.
The tree rings are great for all sorts of trees, and are very easy to use and install due to their adjustable sizes and lightweight but strong Coco Coir fiber material. There’s even a return policy for these tree rings if you don’t think the quality of the product lives up to your expectations, so don’t be afraid to return the product if you aren’t satisfied.
Pros- 100% organic coconut fiber material
- Easy to set up
- Great return policy
Cons- Expensive compared to other options
2EBaokuup Non-Woven Tree Mulch Ring
– Runner UpAt first glance, you may think that this tree mulch was accidentally burnt, or made out of dark rubber. However, this tree ring is actually made out of a non-woven fabric, similar to the material used in standard weed mats and weed shields. Instead of covering large swaths of land, it instead only covers the immediate area around the tree. If you like the idea of weed shields but don’t like it covering your entire garden, this may be a good option for you.
These tree rings come in different sizes, from 10.6 inches to 32.3 inches in diameter, and feature a very durable non-woven and eco-friendly material. The set comes with 12 pieces, so you can cover up to a dozen of your young trees with this durable tree ring. The ring keeps sunlight out to prevent germination but allows water and air through, just like a regular weed mat.
Pros- Made out of thick non-woven fabric
- Manageable size and weight
- Durable and sturdy
Cons- Not made from natural materials
3Rocky Mountain Tree Mulch Ring
– Honorable MentionAside from mulch or safe plastics, another material used in the production of tree rings is rubber. This particular tree ring set is made out of recycled heavy-duty rubber, so by choosing this set you’re also helping support a sustainable business. Rubber is a great alternative to natural mulch. While it may not be as organic as standard mulch, it’s far more natural-looking than conventional weed mats and shields and significantly more durable.
Despite being made out of recycled heavy-duty rubber, the ring blends well with its environment. The ring is textured and has a color similar to that of natural soil, so unless you know where to look, you probably won’t notice it’s there. The design of the ring is porous, allowing water to pass through at a good rate so you don’t end up overwatering your tree. The rings come in sets of one or four with 24-inch and 30-inch size options.
Pros- Made out of recycled heavy-duty rubber
- Blends naturally with soil
Cons- Only two size options
4Trademark Innovations MULCHRING
– ContenderReturning to natural mulch tree rings, this product features two sides, each of a slightly different color. One side is dark brown while the other has a more reddish tint to it. Depending on the color of the soil or your preferred choice, you may want one side over the other. The ring is reversible, so no matter which side you place it on, it’ll be just as effective.
The mat is ½ inch-thick with a porous design to let in appropriate amounts of water. This is thick enough to allow the roots of the tree to absorb water from the mulch. Weed growth can harm the development of young trees, and this ring is as effective as any at preventing their growth before they can cause any damage. Made with superior quality, this mulch ring is a solid choice for many homeowners for its reversible design alone.
Pros- Reversible design
- Great defense against weeds
Cons- Only one ring per purchase
5ANPHSIN Mulch Ring Tree Protector
– Also ConsiderCoco coir is a common substance used in the production of tree rings. It holds water extremely well and keeps trees and other plants hydrated for long periods of time without oversaturating the soil. It also sports a unique brown color, great for quickly identifying the mat outside. The mats are easy to use with a small circle cut out in the center. You can easily cut the ring further to accommodate for thicker trunks and larger plants.
Even though these rings are usable on trees, that doesn’t mean they can’t be used anywhere else. From shrubs and herbs to potted plants, these tree rings can be used just about anywhere when cut, and their unique color will make them easy to spot from a distance so you know which plant is currently using the mulch, all at a great price.
Pros- Distinct brown color
- Easy to cut and shape
- Great price
Cons- Color can be off-putting for some
Tree Ring FAQ
Q: Where should I place my tree ring?A: Wrap the tree ring around the base of the trunk for it to protect and provide nutrients to the tree.
Q: Are tree rings usable on other plants?A: Tree rings can be used for other plants in the right situations, and you can easily use them on potted plants and small shrubs after some adjustments.
Q: When should I replace the tree ring?A: Replace the tree ring when you notice signs of major wear and tear. Depending on the type of tree ring, it may be able to last for years before needing a replacement.
The Garden Gate Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best products for a beautiful and bountiful garden and backyard. The content is created by The Garden Gate Review Team. Garden Gate’s editorial staff is not involved. Garden Gate is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Garden Gate Review Team is composed of authors, editors, and gardeners. Artificial Intelligence (large language models) may have been used in the research and creation of the content. Please reach out to aimperiapt@gmail.com with any questions regarding product testing or specific articles.