Evaluating Various Inclusion Rates of Pine Wood Chips in Finished Compost When Used as an Erosion Control Product

Overabundance of fiber from young trees derived from first thinnings with little or no market is a serious problem for the timber industry as well as private landowners. Because of this, many private landowners fail to conduct appropriate timber management which in turn causes reductions in stand volume, increased risk of insect and/or disease from reduced stand vigor, reduced browse for wildlife and loss of income. Meanwhile, construction companies, mining industries, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are dealing with erosion issues on both a local and national level. This proposal addresses the idea which has the potential to provide erosion control through evaluating various inclusion rates of wood chips from first pine thinnings in finished compost which in turn is used as an erosion control measure. Each product, when used independently, has desirable characteristics that should have synergistic results when combined in the correct proportions.