tricks and tips to make clean up easier

[TreeLogic]

This guy knows a lot about and gives great talks on the role of ramial wood in the soil food web: http://www.groworganicapples.com/organic-orcharding-articles/ramial-wood-chip-primer.php

Interesting read, Guy. I didn't realize that softwood chips could be allelopathic towards hardwood trees. I always use chips from trees similar to those being mulched, but do you think that straight pine chips could harm a deciduous tree?

Another interesting point in the article, if I understood it correctly, is that smaller limbs, which have a higher cambium to diameter ratio will be more beneficial to a healthy soil when chipped.

And yes, I know I need to start a thread on this. I will soon. Sorry twig

 

[twig]

No need to apologize treelogic it's all interesting to me bro.

 

[Steve Connally]

I was always told fresh chips wick the nitrogen out of the soil during decomposition.

 

[guymayor]

Threads tend to wander, naturally. Like compaction from cleanup machines to foot traffic not being trusted and--pigeons?
Key letters in psi are SI--those rolling tires and treads cover and compact a lot of rootzone. The last tree company I worked with featured low-impact service. Clients liked it.

TL since wood is mostly cellulose, it's less beneficial to soil; yes that's good to keep in mind.
And re pine mulch, it's still better for hardwoods than no mulch.

That wicking thing lacks data, but is avoided by using chips more from twigs and leaves which break down faster.

 

[Raven]

Otter sled like you'd take out ice fishing. Brings the gear to the tree then hauls out the bigger logs and rakings. Just don't get one too big cuz when they're full of logs they get a bit heavy to drag.

 

[Gorman]

There is study somewhere that tractor with the right tires or tracks applies less psi than the heel of your boot.
Foot traffic shouldn't be trusted or under estimated

For tracked machines yes that is true, until you pick something heavy up and the weight goes toward the front idlers.

 

[TreeLogic]

Well one way to look at it, regardless of the psi studies; I'd let someone walk on my back, but I ain't lettin' no skidsteer roll over me...logs or no logs. I'm sure the hairy root system feels the same way. Most of the time though the skid is on the job for removals and we avoid other trees. A good layer of mulch has to help with machine-caused compaction though.

 

[Menchhofer]

Wow. Thank you for that piece of GOLD Daniel. I think everyone here knows to use a machine when at all possible, but more times than not, working in back yards and such, and on delicate lawns, it isn't feasible.

It is ALWAYS feasible with the right machine regardless how delicate the lawn.

 

[RopeShield]

I was always told fresh chips wick the nitrogen out of the soil during decomposition.

Organisms that decompose wood require nitrogen. Mainly bacteria. It's called the carbon to nitrogen cycle. Good idea is to sprinkle a low salt index fert. Not sure if that is at all necessary considering the mulch will help with the decrease in the volatizatio and leaching of N. Sorry just thinking out loud a bit

 

[CutHighnLetFly]

we dont use machines for moving material across lawns(in part cause we have an arbor trolley), unless its like a wild situation and the home owner is on board. that being said ive seen plently of drag paths that would argue the fact that not using machines doesnt leave compacted areas.
im pretty torn on this myself. i think using machines wisely (and size/weight appropriate, like using like a bobcat T870 when something much smaller would be sufficient, and mats, and choosing your path of travel), i think can be comparable to dragging by man power.