Here's an interesting article on Mulch in The Daily Times

by Laura D'Alessandro

Gardeners asked to avoid using cypress mulch

OCEAN CITY -- Gardeners should avoid purchasing cypress mulch to help protect Gulf of Mexico's wetlands, said representatives of the Assateague Coastal Trust on Friday.

"Worcester County and the Pocomoke River watershed are the most northern cypress swamps in the nation," said Joe Fehr, past president of Assateague Coastal Trust.

Fehr said in Maryland, cypress trees are protected from clear cutting though many of them were destroyed a century ago before the law was enacted.

"Since the cypress tree has such a specific habitat and is slow to germinate, they were replaced with maple and gum trees," Fehr said. "And contrary to popular belief, cypress trees are not a sustainable product because they are so hard to grow."

Cypress trees are not protected in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida where they are clear cut for mulch. Fehr said this further destroys their sensitive habitat and prevents new trees from taking root.

Read the full article here: The Daily Times