Backyard composting is becoming more common in many communities and
does reduce the impact on our forest by reducing the extracts of wood and
bark materials for commercial mulch. Composted leaves and composted wood
chips placed on top of the grass (where grass does exist) can add vitality
to urban trees and feed the living soil.
Dan Desiderio of Pennsylvania, USA shows how some
excellent
composted leaves, composted wood chips and twigs can be placed back beneath
a maturing oak to help feed many components of the living soil. This type
of back yard composting is not new to Dan but becoming more common with
urban communities. Notice the composted materials do not touch the
trunk flare and were placed on top of the existing grass.
Composted materials can extend out from the tree trunk flare about
2-4 feet.
Mulch is too thick when roots start growing into it. When roots
are growing in the mulch, several continuous hot dry days can lead to root
death. Mulch is very beneficial for trees. Start by applying 3 to 4 inches(7
to 10 cm.) and inspect the mulch several times a year for root growth.
Keep mulch at least 6 inches(15 cm.) away from the trunk to reduce chances
of rodent injury and infection by pathogens. Excessive amounts of mulch
may disrupt soil moisture and aeration. It is best to keep adding small
amounts of composted material over time. The
latter are clips from 100 TREE MYTHS by DR. ALEX L. SHIGO.
Some communities such as the County of Chester, PA offer Composting
Education Programs for the community. Once completed the individual is
recognized as a Master Composter for the County. This particular program
is sponsored by the County Commissioners and facilitated by the County
Health Department. I predict many communities will follow this example
and begin to make wiser, more intelligent use of our green recyclables
while keeping them out of the waste stream and leaving more materials to
remain in our forest returning biological money back to the living system.
One more advantage of your own compost site is that you can possibly avoid the addition of materials such as chips from trees that have been pumped full of dangerous synthetic chemicals that may be stored in the wood or bark. Children do tend to play in mulched areas.
4/13/97
John A. Keslick Jr.
Tree Biologist
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Text & Graphics Copyright © 1997 Keslick & Son Modern Arboriculture