cedar mulch - good or bad?

Discussion in 'Soils, Fertilizers and Composting' started by sophie, Dec 9, 2006.

  1. sophie

    sophie Member

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    Southern coastal BC
    Hello,

    I have a bunch of freshly chipped cedar branches that I was going to use as mulch in my garden, but I have been told that this is very bad for my plants/shrubs and such. Can anyone tell me if this is true...does it harm plants? Thanks!
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    If you are talking about western redcedar (Thuja plicata) the theory would be that because the live tree gives off chemicals that suppress the growth of other plants* beneath it the fresh chippings might do so also. I think when this came up here before (maybe try a forum search) the discussion moved in the direction of this not being a concern.

    *Which may not be true (see page at link, below)

    http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda ...Myths_files/Myths/Allelopathic wood chips.pdf
     
  3. Margaret

    Margaret Active Member 10 Years

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    Ron and anyone else who can help.
    What are your views on using cedar foliage to mulch flowers and vegetables. Each winter the trees shed a lot of dead material and I now have about half an inch of the stuff which has accumulated on the driveways and which I must get cleared. There are a couple of self seeded holly growing in one area of it but very little else. I suppose that the shade cast by the trees will also discourage other plant growth? Should I put it on pathways to discourage unwanted growth or is it safe to use to augment our very sandy soil?
    Many thanks.
    Margaret
     

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