Stop using cypress mulch

Tom Dunlap

Tom Dunlap

Here from the beginning
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Retired in Minneapolis
When I saw bags of cypress mulch I used to think that it was made from the waste products of cypress logging. Today I read this article about the industry in Louisiana and found out how damaging the harvesting of cypress trees is to the south Louisiana environment.

At the end of the article it says that melaluca, an exotic invasive tree is a great substitute.

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/current/cover_story.php
 
Did I read that right... the attraction is for mulch more than for lumber?

That's a new one on me.

Here in Oregon, mulch is more a a byproduct. Not "the" product.
 
I used to think that the bags of cypress mulch were byproduct. Now I realize that is completely wrong. A real shame to see the wetlands managed so poorly.

Zorro...what's the problem? If the trees are harvested and chippped when they aren't in seed how are they going to reproduce? If there are seeds on them and they are properly composted the seeds should be killed.
 
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BS

Invasive trees as mulch?! They're called invasive for a reason...

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So are you implying the the trees being used are outside their native range - that the harvest is to clear an invaded area which didn't have them before?
 
Seems odd to me because there are programs here which compensate you if you decide to have invasive trees removed from your property. One catch is that you must have proof that the mulch/waste was taken to a recognized landfill...and not used as mulch. This program was founded by the EPA. Lets use Mistletoe as mulch, and your yard will be first
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Zorro,

In an admiinistered program like that it makes sense to have a knife-edge response. Cut and landfill will certainly take the variables of possibly having viable seeds or rooting mechanisms moved around.

I know more than one arbo who has chipped branches then used them for mulch and come back later to find a forest in the making because the seeds found a perfect medium to germinate. A whole layer of ash, maple or elm 'pencils' is not a welcome site when what was expected was a layer of coarse wood chips. Get out the Roundup or the Weed Wrench!
 
Hey Tom...

What is "Weed Wrench"??

I'm getting a bit pesticide-stupid these days. I used to have an Oregon Pesticide Consultant license, and I've withdrawn from pesticide use so much the past few years, that I'm a bit brain dead to some names and nicknames.
 
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