Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/28/2017

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Shredded wood: Shredded wood mulch is made by running branches and wood pieces through a machine called a tub grinder. The finished product is irregular and usually elongated. It is also usually uneven and rough, causing the wood pieces to bind together well. This helps keep them in place on the soil surface, making shredded wood mulch an excellent choice for slopes and hillsides where wind and water erosion is a factor. Even though the pieces differ in size, the finished look of shredded mulch is more uniform and natural looking than wood chips, making it a popular choice for landscapes. TO DO/Apply fresh wood chips: Application of fresh wood chips can cause a temporary reduction of nitrogen in your soil. This is due to the large amount of nitrogen needed by the soil bacteria responsible for decomposition of organic matter to do their jobs. Because they are more efficient users of nitrogen than plants, these microorganisms may cause plants to suffer from a temporary nitrogen deficiency. To counteract this, supply additional nitrogen to your plants at the time you apply the mulch. This will help meet the demands of both the plants and the microorganisms. Ammonium Sulfate and Ammonium Nitrate are examples of nitrogen fertilizers you could use. Work into the soil one or two cups per bushel of chips prior to applying your mulch. Concerns about wood chips and disease Wood infected by Dutch Elm Disease and Oak Wilt is chipped by some municipalities and may be in the wood chips or shredded wood mulch you get from these sites. However, according to forestry personnel, you do not need to be concerned about the potential of these diseases being transmitted to your plant materials. The heat from the chipping process, subsequent drying out, and the small particle size of the finished product does not allow for the transmission of these diseases through wood chips or shredded bark. Do not use shredded or chipped wood from Buckthorn.