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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Feb 20, 2009, at 10:50 AM, Clansgian AT wmconnect.com wrote:

> > > Oak is preferable to
> > pine.
>
> Who would have thunk it, but it's true.  Pine decomposes very slowly  
> and oak
> very quickly.

Yes. Beyond decomposition speed, pine needles are more acid and I  
wonder if the sawdust and chips are not also. I suspect but don't know  
for sure that the resins are not so beneficial to the garden soil.  
Resin is likely what inhibits decomposition speed. Oak leaves are  
superior and one suspects oak sawdust and chips are superior also  
because of the deep root system of the quercus family that gathers  
micronutrients.

Gene GeRue
www.RURALIZE.com