Can Douglas fir stump grind chips (and soil) be used as mulch or composte? - Ask Extension
Hello,
we had a very large 85' Douglas fir removed because of cow patty fungus. The stump was ground up as part of the removal process. I now have a ...
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Can Douglas fir stump grind chips (and soil) be used as mulch or composte? #880182
Asked August 04, 2024, 8:25 PM EDT
Hello,
we had a very large 85' Douglas fir removed because of cow patty fungus. The stump was ground up as part of the removal process. I now have a very large pile of chips and dirt mixed together. How can I put the material to use. There are no other fir trees in our or neighbors yards.
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear John,
I have researched this fungus and some of the research states the spores can last for years in the soil. It does mention other trees that can be infected, e.g. pines, larch, hemlocks.
However, it also states: "after decayed butts and roots disintegrate, the brown-rot residues are very stable and provide important properties to the organic component of forest floors, where they may comprise up to 30% of the soil volume in upper layers."
Another quote: "the fungus probably can persist for decades in dead or cut trees and infect roots of adjacent developing trees."
So the question is, are the spores cut up and unable to grow?
An organic spray, sulfur, could be used on the chips and soil. That will kill live spores. If you choose to do this, please follow the instructions carefully and cover yourself, head to toe. There is a lime/sulfur mix at local farm stores that you mix with water if you are interested in pursuing the spray.
A control burn would also kill live spores and then it could be used as a mulch if there is not too much soil in with the wood chips. Burning soil is exceptionally smelly, distasteful and difficult to do.
Here is the link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5345463.pdf
This is not the latest information. It does define the life time of the spores.
Thank you for contacting us, if you have further questions please send them in.
I have researched this fungus and some of the research states the spores can last for years in the soil. It does mention other trees that can be infected, e.g. pines, larch, hemlocks.
However, it also states: "after decayed butts and roots disintegrate, the brown-rot residues are very stable and provide important properties to the organic component of forest floors, where they may comprise up to 30% of the soil volume in upper layers."
Another quote: "the fungus probably can persist for decades in dead or cut trees and infect roots of adjacent developing trees."
So the question is, are the spores cut up and unable to grow?
An organic spray, sulfur, could be used on the chips and soil. That will kill live spores. If you choose to do this, please follow the instructions carefully and cover yourself, head to toe. There is a lime/sulfur mix at local farm stores that you mix with water if you are interested in pursuing the spray.
A control burn would also kill live spores and then it could be used as a mulch if there is not too much soil in with the wood chips. Burning soil is exceptionally smelly, distasteful and difficult to do.
Here is the link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5345463.pdf
This is not the latest information. It does define the life time of the spores.
Thank you for contacting us, if you have further questions please send them in.
Dear John,
I have researched this fungus and some of the research states the spores can last for years in the soil. It does mention other trees that can be infected, e.g. pines, larch, hemlocks.
However, it also states: "after decayed butts and roots disintegrate, the brown-rot residues are very stable and provide important properties to the organic component of forest floors, where they may comprise up to 30% of the soil volume in upper layers."
Another quote: "the fungus probably can persist for decades in dead or cut trees and infect roots of adjacent developing trees."
So the question is, are the spores cut up and unable to grow?
An organic spray, sulfur, could be used on the chips and soil. That will kill live spores. If you choose to do this, please follow the instructions carefully and cover yourself, head to toe. There is a lime/sulfur mix at local farm stores that you mix with water if you are interested in pursuing the spray.
A control burn would also kill live spores and then it could be used as a mulch if there is not too much soil in with the wood chips. Burning soil is exceptionally smelly, distasteful and difficult to do.
Here is the link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5345463.pdf
This is not the latest information. It does define the life time of the spores.
Thank you for contacting us, if you have further questions please send them in.
I have researched this fungus and some of the research states the spores can last for years in the soil. It does mention other trees that can be infected, e.g. pines, larch, hemlocks.
However, it also states: "after decayed butts and roots disintegrate, the brown-rot residues are very stable and provide important properties to the organic component of forest floors, where they may comprise up to 30% of the soil volume in upper layers."
Another quote: "the fungus probably can persist for decades in dead or cut trees and infect roots of adjacent developing trees."
So the question is, are the spores cut up and unable to grow?
An organic spray, sulfur, could be used on the chips and soil. That will kill live spores. If you choose to do this, please follow the instructions carefully and cover yourself, head to toe. There is a lime/sulfur mix at local farm stores that you mix with water if you are interested in pursuing the spray.
A control burn would also kill live spores and then it could be used as a mulch if there is not too much soil in with the wood chips. Burning soil is exceptionally smelly, distasteful and difficult to do.
Here is the link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5345463.pdf
This is not the latest information. It does define the life time of the spores.
Thank you for contacting us, if you have further questions please send them in.
