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.