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Quebec,Canada

It was discussed before that oak leaves has a high acidic level and should not be put into a garden. How about oak chips/filings from a planner? Would that cause any problems if it were added to a garden?

4/13/2003 8:08:51 PM

[email protected]

Oak is high in tannin which is why it resists decay & is used in ship building. As a soil amendment it does the same thing. All wood based amendments are likely to cause nitrogen draft. Bacteria & other microbes that break down the wood cellulose & tannin consume nitrogen as they do their thing. In some plant growth studies, the addition of wood amendments has caused a 30-40% reduction in plant growth if supplemental nitrogen wasn't used.

All amendments should be evaluated for their carbon:nitrogen ratio. If the ratio is greater than 20:1, then additional nitrogen should be employed (as if we wouldn't anyway). Oak sawdust is about 500:1, so adding more nitrogen isn't an option. It's manadatory. I'd apply about 1.5lbs/N per 1,000 sq ft pre-plant with the oak. Sawdust would be much better than chips or shavings.

If this crazy long link actually works, you might find it useful.

http://216.239.51.100/search?q=cache:Hs0wEqlxv-0C:www.conservation.state.mo.us/forest/research/ApplyingResearchInForestry/sawdust.htm+compost+%22oak+sawdust%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Steve

4/13/2003 8:46:19 PM

Quebec,Canada

Thanks,great link.

4/13/2003 9:24:12 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

What a link! Instant answers..
Whaddya carry that sort of stuff around with you in your wallet there Steve?

4/13/2003 10:23:58 PM

[email protected]

No Kyle. But it's what I do for a living. Try going to a cutesy liberal dinner theater at the request of the lead actor. During intermission some overstuffed politicians wife turns to me & asks "so Mr. Jepsen, a pleasure to meet you, what is it you do?" She's figuring I'm a liberal like our local hero George Jepsen (Democrat). Then I smile & say, "Oh I sell pesticides & fertilizers for a living."
A hush falls over the foyer. All smiles are gone. The middle aged wealthy white males congregate around me & the lead man. We resume conversation, usually about golfing. Everyone else moves to the other side of the foyer. Talk gently resumes at a hush on that side with whispering liberals occasionaly looking & pointing.

Lord it's good to be me.

4/15/2003 9:42:27 PM