Author Topic: Christmas Tree Mulch?  (Read 2290 times)

Jani

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Christmas Tree Mulch?
« on: December 30, 2014, 03:11:37 PM »
Tried searching the forum before I started a new thread on this but couldn't find much....

About to get rid of this years Christmas tree, and like to reuse stuff when possible...so simple questions... is this good for mulching tropicals like mango/lychee?

Any dos or dont's in using this for mulching?

Thanks!
always longing for a JA Julie

Jani

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Re: Christmas Tree Mulch?
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2014, 03:13:04 PM »
Just to clarify, I'm talking more about the needles and small branches as I don't really have the tools to break up the trunk.
always longing for a JA Julie

nullzero

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Re: Christmas Tree Mulch?
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2014, 03:26:57 PM »
I don't see why it would hurt, just place the dried needles around the trees as mulch.
Grow mainly fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

davidgarcia899

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Re: Christmas Tree Mulch?
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2014, 11:48:04 AM »
The public dumps distribute christmas tree mulch in February/March. I collect them every year and put them through my wood chipper and use it every year. There arent any real issues I can tell you about
- David Antonio Garcia

Mark in Texas

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Re: Christmas Tree Mulch?
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2015, 08:49:19 AM »
Pine needles are great, I use them on tropicals and the veggie garden.  Check out pix halfway down the page.  FWIW, I have a Christmas tree farm, elves rake & bag up the needles that shake out due to the 1 HP driven tree shaker.

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=7511.msg96609#msg96609

greenman62

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Re: Christmas Tree Mulch?
« Reply #5 on: January 01, 2015, 01:47:04 PM »
my neighbor had 2 pine trees, and i used to pick the cones up (and needles, but mostly cones)
and add them to the garden as mulch,, for years i did this.
he got rid of the trees, but the planter had years worth of decaying cones and needles
i planted 2 papaya in there, and they really took off.
i went 2 years without adding anything to it, and it was still rich "compost" like stuff
when you dig down...

now i am adding leaves and grass clippings, but, its not the same
they break down much faster.
i am eyeing up a couple of pine trees on the roadway near here
the cones are great stuff IMO, the needless are a bit of a pain to get up
unless you have a wide rake and several big trees.

HMHausman

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Re: Christmas Tree Mulch?
« Reply #6 on: January 01, 2015, 06:09:54 PM »
I have never used Christmas tree mulch so I can't comment on its effectiveness or quality.  I do know one thing though, the trees burn like a son of gun. The resin or turpentine in the tree burn like it has been doused in gasoline.  So not sure what effect this highly flammable sap would have in growing tropicals.
Harry
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From the sea

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Re: Christmas Tree Mulch?
« Reply #7 on: January 01, 2015, 06:15:26 PM »
I have never used Christmas tree mulch so I can't comment on its effectiveness or quality.  I do know one thing though, the trees burn like a son of gun. The resin or turpentine in the tree burn like it has been doused in gasoline.  So not sure what effect this highly flammable sap would have in growing tropicals.
I do know the affect it has on a bonfire!

gunnar429

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Re: Christmas Tree Mulch?
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2015, 06:21:35 PM »
It should work great on anything that likes acidic soil.  Blueberries, miracle fruit, jaboticaba, and other tropicals will really appreciate the addition.
~Jeff

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