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#1
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
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 |
#3
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
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. |
#4
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
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 |
#5
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
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. |
#6
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
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 |
#7
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
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. |
#8
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
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#9
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
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 |
#10
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
"Jangchub" wrote in message
... On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:41:36 -0400, "symplastless" wrote: DAMN! |
#11
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
"Don Staples" wrote in message news "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 |
#12
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heap of fresh mulch getting hot
"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. |
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