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safe mulch

Posted by aeor nsw (My Page) on
Fri, Jan 26, 07 at 16:36

I've had a camphor laurel tree cut down and now have a huge pile of mulch from it's wood and leaves. Can anybody tell me if it's safe to use as mulch on my garden, which is mainly eucalypts, grass trees, and a few understory westingea etc. I seem to find conflicting information, about growth inhibitors etc. Keeping in mind the 'natural' mulch consists of many eucalypt leaves which are supposed to have a similar effect on the soil? (About 70 percent of the garden is naturally occurring). I'm impatient but maybe I need to compost it first?


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: safe mulch

g'day aeor,

i've used eucalypt for mulch before with no problems, can't say about camphor laurels but? maybe if you leave it in a pile to break down some first this may allow for the active ingredient to dissipate?

also ask your question in the free forums here:

garden express

len

Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page


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RE: safe mulch

Growth inhibitors are only an issue with germinating seeds and seedlings. I doubt very much that they will have any effect on fully established trees and shrubs.

The only thing that you may have to be careful of is any branch fragments taking root. This is a problem of Willow derived mulch if it is in a wet area. Not sure about Camphor Laurel but it is an issue to consider.


 
 

 

 


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