Thuja are popular plants , often used for hedges. After trimming a thuja hedge or other maintenance work, there may bea lot of fragments of cut shoots left, which it is a pity to throw awayThe easiest solution seems to be throwing them into the composter. However, is it a good solution? Seeis it possible to put thuja in the compostalong with other materials and learn about other ways touse cut thuja twigs in the garden
How to use cut thuja shoots?
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Is it possible to put thuja into the composter?
"Bothwoody and green parts of thuja have a very long mineralization time , which can last up to 2 years. The reason for this is the presence of resin compounds in the tissues of thuja, which, as it were, preserve the remains of thuja. In addition, thuja contains thujone in its tissues. This compound, like resins, has antiseptic properties. The presence of resins and thujone inhibits the growth of microorganisms responsible for the decomposition of organic matter.If we throw the remnants of thuja into the compost, the resin compounds introduced into the heap will slow down the decomposition of all organic material in the composterThe process of decomposition of thuja is not shortened even by the use of substances accelerating the composting. Thereforedo not put thuja into the compost with other organic debris "
Like other conifers,decomposing in a compost heap, strongly lowers the pH of the compost This can be useful if the soil is too alkaline in the garden. However, not all plants can tolerate a low pH. Therefore, if you do not want to make acidic compost, you shouldavoid throwing fragments of thujaand other conifers into the composter.
What to do with cut thuja twigs?
A large amount of organic material that we get from thuja, however, can be useful.Cut twigs of thuja can be stored in a separate composter and used as a component of acid compostAcid compost is made of pine needles, cones, bark and sawdust from conifers. When decomposed, it is acidic (pH 3.5-4.5) and few nutrients.The acidic thuja compost is an ideal substrate for acidophilic plantssuch as conifers, rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, heathers, blueberries, cranberries and raspberries. It can also be used as an ingredient to lower the pH of other media.
Before throwing into the composter the twigs of thuja should be crushed very well Then lay the shredded thuja twigs in layers, alternating with other materials. The addition of nitrogen is important. Nitrogen can be supplied to the pile in the form of ammonium sulphate, manure or freshly cut grass.Acid compost should be prepared in wooden composters, and the process of its preparation takes 2 to 3 yearsSince the components of acid compost are often hard (e.g. cones), it will not be completely decomposed. However, this coarse-grained compost structure is suitable for acidophilic plants.
Anotherway to use thuja leftovers is to use them as a bedding for conifers or heather plantsTo do this, compost the thuja twigs for one season with a separate container. After this time, the green parts of the twigs turn brown. We mix these slightly composted fragments of thuja with the bark of conifers and scatter around the plants. This gives the effect of a natural forest bedding.The remnants of thuja will decompose under trees and shrubs in a natural way, while acidifying the substrate
Be sure tonever compost thuja twigs with signs of disease or pest feeding . Spores of pathogens and insects can withstand the composting process and be a renewed source of infection.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
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