Drawbacks of tree trimings as mulch? I get various loads of chopped up tree trimmings from local tree...
I get various loads of chopped up tree trimmings from local tree trimmers working for the REMC. I use it everywhere as mulch. Beautiful dark brown dirt surrounded by 3 years. But I read where the much will "draw" Nitrogen out of the top soil. I think this may be right as tomato plants surrounded by the mulch this year did poorly. What is the easiest and cheapest way to replace the Nitrogen ? For the most cut, I don't want anything growing in the mulch, but when I put it around trees, etc., I probably should be restoring the Nitrogen.
Jim West
www.IndianaMilitary.org
Thanks
Answers: It appears you can't bring a direct answer, so I will give you my professional view and attempt to help you out.
You are correct surrounded by saying that the mulch "draws" nitrogen from the surrounding soil. However, this individual applies to fresh mulch that hasn't had time to decay yet. Fresh mulch such as you are using, requires microbial management from the soil along with a sufficient amount of "nitrogen" that is to say present in said soil to "breakdown" or "decompose" these tree trimmings. While the trimmings start off to breakdown, nitrogen is taken from the soil and away from your trees and plants. I would suggest if you use these trimmings that you buy a bag or two of "blood" teatime from the local garden center or nursery. It contains only nitrogen and no phosphorous or potassium. This sprinkling over the mulch, will help supply the soil next to the required amount of nitrogen as well as replacing any that have been used contained by the decomposition process. Blood meal is also "organic" and past the worst for the environment.
Another problem with using fresh cut and mulched tree trimmings is disease. You don't really know if any of these trees be infected with the oodles diseases and fungus that attack trees. Many forms of "blight" could be present in the trimmings and by putting them contained by your beds, you could be exposing your reshape to potential problems later on down the road. Many of these diseases and funguses are soil born as in good health, creating further problems. With that all said, if you use chopped up tree trimmings, it is best that they hold composted for a year or so as this will not require any microbial or nitrogen robbing action surrounded by your soil. Hope this answers your question. Good luck!
**Billy Ray**
Don't know just about drawing nitrogen from the soil, but I do know that you should never plant veggies near a tree because the tree make the surrounding soil too acidic. Maybe plant your tomatoes surrounded by another area and use a straw mulch here.