| Scope and Method of Study: The goal of this study was to compare attributes of eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) mulch to other commonly used wood mulches. The expansion of the redcedar mulch market has potential to make economic use of a low-value species while reducing the extent of redcedar encroachment in the Southern Great Plains. We compared redcedar mulch to cypress, pine bark nuggets, pine, hardwood, eucalyptus, and red-dyed mulch as well as two non-mulched controls (with and without herbicide). Measurements included soil moisture, soil temperature, growth and survival of planted annuals, perennials, and trees, weed growth and mulch decomposition.;Findings and Conclusions: Compared to the non-mulched controls, all the mulch treatments increased soil moisture, increased plant growth and decreased weed growth to a similar extent. Percent soil moisture ranged from 24 % to 28 % in the mulched plots. Mulched plots contained more moderate soil moisture than non-mulched controls. Mulched plots maintained lower soil temperatures during the day and warmer soil temperatures at night compared to the non-mulched controls. Annual plant growth in the non-mulched control plots averaged 25 g, compared to 49 g in the mulched plots. Weed growth in the non-mulched control plots averaged 221 g and decreased to 60 g in the mulched plots. Hardwood mulch decomposed the most with 45 % loss over two years. Redcedar and pine bark nugget decomposed the least with 5 % loss over two years. These results indicate redcedar mulch provides similar benefits as other common wood mulches and is a viable forest product. |
