Forest soil?

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by JDweeler, Mar 20, 2013.

  1. JDweeler

    JDweeler Gardener

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    Here's a question I could probably go on for a while?... Maybe. And one thought somebody told me you can go to the forest move the Pineneedles and pinecones aside and dig up all the soil around the bottom of the trees. Said It would be really rich and loose soil?
    But somebody else told me that acorns and Pineneedles give off poisonous stuff? That contaminates soil? Wtf nevere herd this? Anyways what you guys think about getting soil from the forest?
     
  2. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

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    Don't think the Forestry commision would be too happy if you did that. Probably do you for theft.

    Acorns contain tannic acid, pine needles are acid, but also contain a growth inhibitor, however, thats water soluble so its effects lessen as time goes on.
     
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      I remember as a kid going with my dad to a local woodland and collecting bags of leaf mulch (or leaf mould as he called it), and he would use that on the garden (presumably as a compost substitute); this was from a deciduous woodland though.
       
    • JDweeler

      JDweeler Gardener

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      Naa wouldn't b theft I just gotta. Get my crawler out there so can get to my property
       
    • JDweeler

      JDweeler Gardener

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      I have access to plenty of forest out here just wondering if it would be beneficiary to the garden. I've bought 6 yards now and it's getting a little pricy, so I'm tryin to find other sources
       
    • Lawnman

      Lawnman Gardener

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      Poor quality soil, likely to very acidic.

      Buy some good quality compost if you want to enrich your soil.
       
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      • Phil A

        Phil A Guest

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        So are you saying you own the woodland JD? Even so, stripping the biomass just to improve the garden won't do the trees any favours:dunno:
         
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        • clueless1

          clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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          It'll be alright for rhododendrons and azaleas and camelias etc.
           
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          I agree with Zigs you'll end up damaging the trees also the soil is likely to be poor quality. It isn't going to be rich and loose, whoever told you that?
           
        • Phil A

          Phil A Guest

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          Best thing is to make your own leafmold, not only better for the forest, but nice & easy to do with good results:)
           
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          • "M"

            "M" Total Gardener

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            Anything you take from cultivated land would be considered "theft". Most woodlands are considered "cultivated" because they are managed.

            Another thing to consider is, by transferring the soil, you will also, potentially, be transferring diseases with it.

            I do appreciate the costs involved in gardening but I can't condone "theft" (which it is). In my area we have many historical woodland areas - rich pickings? Nah!

            I make my own compost and leafmold and buy the difference.

            To my (humble) mind, there is an integrity involved in gardening. You grow, you compost, you recycle, you progagate, you buy a bit; you don't take what you fancy from where you fancy without permission.
             
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            • longk

              longk Total Gardener

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              I've used the needles from my Swamp Cypress as a winter mulch and they worked really well.
               
            • silu

              silu gardening easy...hmmm

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              Totally agree with Mum, I've been gardening for many many years and can't remember the last time I bought potting compost. Troll?
               
            • JDweeler

              JDweeler Gardener

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              $45 a yard and um i need 12 more
               
            • JDweeler

              JDweeler Gardener

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              So I gues I'm stealing from my own yard? Makes no sense to me. I own the property it's not theft
               
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