The common near me has been declared as an SSSI (Site of Special
Scientific Interest). As a result the common is being returned to
someones idea of its ideal state. Can you tell that I am yet to be
convinced by their course of action.

OK, the contractors have felled a large number of small trees and
generally cleared up the undergrowth. The results of all this
activity are 20+ 4ft high piles of shredded branches and saplings.
This is mostly oak and birch.

I crossed the common on my way home from my C&G - Growing Flowers
course, and was surprised to find that the piles were getting pretty
warm. They have only been there 3 weeks at the most.

I am wondering if this material would be a good additive to bulk up my
compost heap, or whether to use it straight on the earth as a winter
mulch.

Your advice will be gratefully recieved.

The message
from (Philip) contains these words:

I am wondering if this material would be a good additive to bulk up my
compost heap, or whether to use it straight on the earth as a winter
mulch.

Your advice will be gratefully recieved.

It would be ok mixed with other greenery, but you'd have to be sure it's
OK to take the stuff - the people doing the clearing might have other
ideas for it.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

In article , Philip
writes
The common near me has been declared as an SSSI (Site of Special
Scientific Interest). As a result the common is being returned to
someones idea of its ideal state. Can you tell that I am yet to be
convinced by their course of action.

It will have been declared an SSSI for some specific reason - for
example an old quarry now largely occupied by an industrial estate near
us has been declared an SSSI as the type locality of a type of shale. So
the management of the SSSI is not to 'return it to someone's idea of its
ideal state' but to maintain it in a condition to support whatever
organism has caused it to be designated as an SSSI.

For example, an SSSI which is the habitat of uncommon species of ground
dwelling bees will need to be maintained to have very short grass/ bare
earth in the area where the bees are nesting, even though the most
natural might be to allow the development of scrub.


I crossed the common on my way home from my C&G - Growing Flowers
course, and was surprised to find that the piles were getting pretty
warm. They have only been there 3 weeks at the most.

I am wondering if this material would be a good additive to bulk up my
compost heap, or whether to use it straight on the earth as a winter
mulch.

Either. Whichever is your greatest need.

--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

Thanks .

"Kay" wrote in message
...
In article , Philip
writes
The common near me has been declared as an SSSI (Site of Special
Scientific Interest). As a result the common is being returned to
someones idea of its ideal state. Can you tell that I am yet to be
convinced by their course of action.

It will have been declared an SSSI for some specific reason - for
example an old quarry now largely occupied by an industrial estate
near
us has been declared an SSSI as the type locality of a type of
shale. So
the management of the SSSI is not to 'return it to someone's idea of
its
ideal state' but to maintain it in a condition to support whatever
organism has caused it to be designated as an SSSI.

For example, an SSSI which is the habitat of uncommon species of
ground
dwelling bees will need to be maintained to have very short grass/
bare
earth in the area where the bees are nesting, even though the most
natural might be to allow the development of scrub.


I crossed the common on my way home from my C&G - Growing Flowers
course, and was surprised to find that the piles were getting
pretty
warm. They have only been there 3 weeks at the most.

I am wondering if this material would be a good additive to bulk up
my
compost heap, or whether to use it straight on the earth as a
winter
mulch.

Either. Whichever is your greatest need.

It might be wise if the OP were to ascertain whether the folk who put
it there did not do so precisely because they wanted to produce
compost

Franz