Can freshly ground leaves & tree branches = mulch?

Discussion in 'Soils, Fertilizers and Composting' started by frankandmarie, Jul 8, 2007.

  1. frankandmarie

    frankandmarie Member

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    I'm clearing plants (honeysuckle), tree branches (e.g.,wild cherry), evergreen clippings and grinding them up in a chipper shredder. Can they be used to mulch evergreen shrubs or should they be composted and allowed to breakdown before using them?
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Fresh doesn't matter, as long as none of it is something that can sprout from fragments.
     
  3. Karalyn

    Karalyn Active Member

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    Is this because the honeysuckle has the nitrogen to help break down the cherry tree branches?
     
  4. M. D. Vaden

    M. D. Vaden Active Member 10 Years

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    I think he means that small fragments (fresh) can propagate:

    Grow roots, sprout and form new plants.

    Like taking cuttings, only miniature.

    So they would need to be composted long enough for all the living plant cells to decompose before adding to a garden.
     
  5. Karalyn

    Karalyn Active Member

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    Awww...you know I was thinking about that just the other day as I was trimming certain plants that this could possibly root if I bury it.
    Thanks!
     

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