On 25/08/2016 09:32, Jeff Layman wrote:

In the next month or so I'm having a conifer (leylandii) hedge taken
out. There are around 20 trees 6 or 7 metres high.

The trunks and larger branches will be cut and stored for the
log-burning stove. But I'm wondering if the smaller woody and green
stuff would make a good mulch for the flower beds once shredded. I have
around 100^2 metres of beds, so reckon around 7.5^3m of mulch could be
used to cover them to a decent depth. I could store some more if needed,
as I reckon at least 10^3m of shredded material will be produced from
the trees.

Assuming you have the space to store both the logs and the copious
amounts of small stuff that will result from shredding then apart from
the need to season the logs for a couple of years (and burn other
hardwoods with them) and compost the tailings no real problem.

I have seen big piles of conifer trimmings get seriously mad hot to the
point of self ignition so don't put it anywhere it could cause damage if
it went up in flames. I reckon 2-3m high conical piles is OK. It will
get steamy and smell strongly of oil of wintergreen if you get it just
right (even when there is a hard frost on the ground).

I wouldn't mulch with the uncomposted stuff as it will tend to rob
nitrogen from the soil as it decomposes. Better off coomposted.

There seem to be mixed comments on numerous webpages about the use of
shredded conifer as a mulch, but I reckon it will do more good than harm
(especially with the weeks of drought we seem to get now). Anyone used
this material as a mulch in the last few years?

Once it has been composted it is no different to any other bulk organic
material - although maybe a bit courser (I don't shred I just compost as
is). I tend to use trimmings off my conifers as fire lighters.

I try to burn a fair proportion of hardwoods with it too.

Regards,
Martin Brown