In article ,
says...

In article , Charlie
Pridham writes
In article ,
says...

I've lopped some branches off a Sitka spruce and have put everything
small enough through a shredder. I went on the Internet looking for
advice on whether these chippings could be used either as a mulch or
added to my compost heap. The advice was both conflicting and confusing,
so I thought I would ask here for clear, unambiguous answers :-)

The online advice so far can be summarised as:

OK as mulch but let it lie for 6 weeks to allow resins to disperse.
Don't use it as mulch as toxins will kill plants.

OK as compost if mixed with other material but may slow process down.
Don't use it as compost as it will make compost acid.

I also came across:
Don't mulch right up to the house walls as this will attract termites!

What experience here can I draw on, please?


Each year I get given the Christmas trees (30+)from the village to shred
and I put it straight on the ground, it takes ages to break down so its
an excellant mulch and I have seen no adverse effects

Ah, but, the scientist in me asks if you have a control plot where you
haven't used it as a mulch!


Yep, its called the lawn! :~)
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea