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["Lynda" <lurine AT com-pair.net>]

There are benzoic, oxalic and plicatic acids in pine and cedar.  A lot of it 
is given off, particularly with cedar, in off-gassing.  Oak gives you tanic 
and acetic acids.

All woods contain resins and some contain a combo that is toxic to animals. 
Oak, along with cherry and black walnut contain those types of resins which 
is why they aren't used as shavings for animals.

Lynda
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gene GeRue" <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
To: <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: [Homestead] Sawdust, chips, horse manure


> 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
>
>
>
>
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