Tainted Mulch

[TylerRose]

I'm new here so please forgive if I've posted this in the wrong forum. I have two questions about user created mulches...

1. Are there any types of trees that you cannot chip and use as mulch (any that would poison the trees to be mulched)?

2. If you mulch anything that has an invasive vine or ivy attached to it, will this invasive plant root in the newly mulched area? Is there a rule of thumb on how long newly chipped material should sit in the compost pile?

Thnx

 

[Adkpk]

#1 Not sure about that.
#2 Whatever would come up would have to like it hot. Decomposing mulch gets pretty hot. Depletes the soil of any nitrogen because it dissipates in the heat. So I would say no to that.

 

[antigrassguy]

mulch

Tyler, #1, in Wisconsin we have black walnuts and butternuts that have juglone that will kill certain trees and animals if fresh chips are used. #2, some vines and trees will grow from chips. some vines have little hairs that when in contact with the ground will grow. Here willow trees will grow from the chips if used. I used some here that had sat for almost a year and they started to grow. Real pain in the butt. And as a general rule of thumb the chips should be left to compost about a year. Also you want to be sure that the chips are disease free or that the tree was healthy. There a certain wilts that will stay viable in a chip pile for over 1 year as well. Hope this helps.

 

[TylerRose]

Thanks

Thanks for the info. If anyone else has an opinion or some first hand experience, please share...

 

[deercatcher]

Walnut has a plant suppression capability. I have heard that cypress may also. I would be careful of Chinese tallow, especially if the trees are cut when seeds are mature. The are invasive and germinate with determination. The wood has an alkoloid. If you have a place to age them for a year, probably Ok.