heap of fresh mulch getting hot

[kdv09@excite.com]

Howdy!
We've got a heap of fresh mulch (trees were chopped three days ago)
The trees were mainly australian native bushy trees - no idea about
what they are called. The heap is a about 9 cubic meters and ~4-5 feet
high. This morning noticed a white steam rising, and sure enough, it's
warm inside. I dug about 3 feet into it and it's pleasant warm. I
understand why it's warm, what I'm worried about, is it dangerous at
all/ From what I see on the web, there were cases of much taller piles
of mulch selfigniting. It's midspring here in australia, temperatures
are 7-17'C, and even some chance of rain soon. How long it takes for
the mulch to cool down?
Many thanks
kdv09

[Billy[_5_]]

In article
>,
wrote:

> Howdy!
> We've got a heap of fresh mulch (trees were chopped three days ago)
> The trees were mainly australian native bushy trees - no idea about
> what they are called. The heap is a about 9 cubic meters and ~4-5 feet
> high. This morning noticed a white steam rising, and sure enough, it's
> warm inside. I dug about 3 feet into it and it's pleasant warm. I
> understand why it's warm, what I'm worried about, is it dangerous at
> all/ From what I see on the web, there were cases of much taller piles
> of mulch selfigniting. It's midspring here in australia, temperatures
> are 7-17'C, and even some chance of rain soon. How long it takes for
> the mulch to cool down?
> Many thanks
> kdv09

If it starts feeling hot, spray some water on it. Hot is good because it
kills pests and weed seeds but fresh bailed hay or alfalfa has been
known to combust. A couple of minutes of the hose should do it.
--

Billy
Bush and Pelosi Behind Bars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTfcAyYGg&ref=patrick.net
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1009916.html

[kdv09@excite.com]

Ok, thanks for that! And I understand it would be a better mulch, if I
keep it for 2-4 weeks before using it on the garden beds, as fresh
mulch would consume some nitrogen from the soil while decomposing


On Aug 29, 1:58*pm, Billy > wrote:
> If it starts feeling hot, spray some water on it. Hot is good because it
> kills pests and weed seeds but fresh bailed hay or alfalfa has been
> known to combust. A couple of minutes of the hose should do it.

[David Hare-Scott]

> wrote in message
...
> Howdy!
> We've got a heap of fresh mulch (trees were chopped three days ago)
> The trees were mainly australian native bushy trees - no idea about
> what they are called. The heap is a about 9 cubic meters and ~4-5 feet
> high. This morning noticed a white steam rising, and sure enough, it's
> warm inside. I dug about 3 feet into it and it's pleasant warm. I
> understand why it's warm, what I'm worried about, is it dangerous at
> all/ From what I see on the web, there were cases of much taller piles
> of mulch selfigniting. It's midspring here in australia, temperatures
> are 7-17'C, and even some chance of rain soon. How long it takes for
> the mulch to cool down?
> Many thanks
> kdv09

As Billy said keep it damp (not wet). If you are really worried about a fire
spread it out and it will cool down. The deeper the pile the less surface
area (where heat is lost) in proportion to the volume (where heat is
generated). This is why you are advised, amongst other things, to build a big
pile (over a cubic metre) for hot composting.

Mid spring! You must be a banana bender.

David

[FarmI]

> wrote in message

I
> understand why it's warm, what I'm worried about, is it dangerous at
> all/ From what I see on the web, there were cases of much taller piles
> of mulch selfigniting.

It certainly can be dangerous. We had a bushfire round here started by a
compost heap so it can and does happen.

[kdv09@excite.com]

OK, i'll keep my eye on it - it actually in front of kitchen window,
not to hard.
As for the midspring - we are crow eaters (south australia) :-)


On Aug 29, 4:02*pm, "David Hare-Scott" > wrote:
> As Billy said keep it damp (not wet). *If you are really worried about a fire
> spread it out and it will cool down. *The deeper the pile the less surface
> area (where heat is lost) in proportion to the volume (where heat is
> generated). *This is why you are advised, amongst other things, to build a big
> pile (over a cubic metre) for hot composting.
>
> Mid spring! *You must be a banana bender.
>
> David

[Frank]

Billy wrote:
> In article
> >,
> wrote:
>
>> Howdy!
>> We've got a heap of fresh mulch (trees were chopped three days ago)
>> The trees were mainly australian native bushy trees - no idea about
>> what they are called. The heap is a about 9 cubic meters and ~4-5 feet
>> high. This morning noticed a white steam rising, and sure enough, it's
>> warm inside. I dug about 3 feet into it and it's pleasant warm. I
>> understand why it's warm, what I'm worried about, is it dangerous at
>> all/ From what I see on the web, there were cases of much taller piles
>> of mulch selfigniting. It's midspring here in australia, temperatures
>> are 7-17'C, and even some chance of rain soon. How long it takes for
>> the mulch to cool down?
>> Many thanks
>> kdv09
>
> If it starts feeling hot, spray some water on it. Hot is good because it
> kills pests and weed seeds but fresh bailed hay or alfalfa has been
> known to combust. A couple of minutes of the hose should do it.

Compost heaps for nearby mushroom businesses were always catching fire.
I think this decreased when fire company started fining composter for
creating hazard.

[Phisherman[_3_]]

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:57:31 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

>Howdy!
>We've got a heap of fresh mulch (trees were chopped three days ago)
>The trees were mainly australian native bushy trees - no idea about
>what they are called. The heap is a about 9 cubic meters and ~4-5 feet
>high. This morning noticed a white steam rising, and sure enough, it's
>warm inside. I dug about 3 feet into it and it's pleasant warm. I
>understand why it's warm, what I'm worried about, is it dangerous at
>all/ From what I see on the web, there were cases of much taller piles
>of mulch selfigniting. It's midspring here in australia, temperatures
>are 7-17'C, and even some chance of rain soon. How long it takes for
>the mulch to cool down?
>Many thanks
>kdv09

The heat indicates that the mulch is composting and decomposing. The
heap is the right size for composting. It will probably remain hot
for a few months and decrease in size, unless it dries out.

[symplastless]

Do not use FRESH CHIPS the protoplasm smeared all over the place attracts
undesirable micros. No time to explain right now.
Will fill you in if email me at Fresh chips can
cause disease.


Mulching -
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/M/mulch.html

Troubles in the Rhizosphere
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/RHIZO.html

Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Consulting Tree Biologist
www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.
Some people will buy products they do not understand and not buy books that
will give them understanding.
--
Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Consulting Tree Biologist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.
Some people will buy products they do not understand and not buy books that
will give them understanding.

> wrote in message
...
> Howdy!
> We've got a heap of fresh mulch (trees were chopped three days ago)
> The trees were mainly australian native bushy trees - no idea about
> what they are called. The heap is a about 9 cubic meters and ~4-5 feet
> high. This morning noticed a white steam rising, and sure enough, it's
> warm inside. I dug about 3 feet into it and it's pleasant warm. I
> understand why it's warm, what I'm worried about, is it dangerous at
> all/ From what I see on the web, there were cases of much taller piles
> of mulch selfigniting. It's midspring here in australia, temperatures
> are 7-17'C, and even some chance of rain soon. How long it takes for
> the mulch to cool down?
> Many thanks
> kdv09

[Don Staples]

"Jangchub" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:41:36 -0400, "symplastless"
> > wrote:

DAMN!

[symplastless]

"Don Staples" > wrote in message
yinc...
> "Jangchub" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:41:36 -0400, "symplastless"
>> > wrote:
>
> DAMN!
>Don Staples - Consulting Salvage Hog
> http://www.livingston.net/dstaples/Services/salvage.htm

[symplastless]

"Jangchub" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:41:36 -0400, "symplastless"
> > wrote:
>


BOSS

BOSS

BOSS
BOSS

--
Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Consulting Tree Biologist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.
Some people will buy products they do not understand and not buy books that
will give them understanding.