Re: Re: CULT: conifer mulch & antibiotics (was small brains, hard work...

In a message dated 1/10/2003 3:31:19 PM Central Standard Time, 
lmann@volfirst.net writes:


> Not pine straw, but at least from pine trees.  I haven't quite digested
> all it has to say, but it seems highly relevant to our previous
> discussion about mulches & rot.
> 

I visited the Ohio State University site you suggested. It confirms other 
information I previously gleaned form searches relative to pine bark. 
Essentially, pine bark is an inert mulch and one of the slowest to decompose.

The disease resistance of conifers in general is well known. One might 
reasonably suspect that the antibiotic effect of the resins is common, more 
or less, across the many species that inhabit the biosphere. One might also 
reasonably suspect the components responsible for the antibiotic effect to be 
present in most parts of the conifer to some degree.

In our part of the world the eastern red cedar is known to produce toxins in 
its shed needles that prevent undergrowth and seed germination beneath the 
trees canopy. Its resistance and ability to repel insects is also well known 
along with its resistance to decomposition. Oils within the wood are deemed 
responsible for this trait. It is not much of a leap in logic to infer the 
resistance to decomposition may be antibiotic in nature. I do successfully 
grow a variety of plants, including bearded irises, beneath this conifer's 
canopy. The irises have never contracted Erwinia caratovora in this 
environment. Increase is painfully slow due to reduced light. Most 
established plants transplanted to this environment do well and do not seem 
to be effected by the toxins the trees produce. Shade tolerant plants (iris 
cristata, hostas, iris fulva, acuba, phlox, heuchera, columbine) do well. The 
columbine re-seeds with impunity and is impervious to the trees toxins. Iris 
cristata flourishes in the purported toxins and has never contracted 
bacterial soft rot. Unfortunately, I have been unable to confirm that I. 
cristata is even susceptible to the malady.

Now, if I can fix the pickup's transmission, borrow a chipper, go get the 
tractor a neighbor borrowed, get the chain saw to crank, I can mulch some 
TB's in sunny locations with pine straw, chipped cedar brush, and some other 
stuff. Gettin' lazy thinkin' about all this. Maybe someone else will do it.

Lazy Bill Burleson 7a/b
Old South Iris Society

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