Liz, Sstorch, Roger, Lloyd, and all, Pedogenesis under Australian eucalyptus is very similar to that of conifers. As such, eucalyptus has inherited some evolutionary aspects that have left them with lignin that has an asymetrical structure with aromatic rings composed of a single methoxyl group that, under bacterial digestion, releases polyphenols, terpens, ..., that inhibit that action of certain lipase's. In other word they have evolutionary mechanism that helps them fight vegetation competition. This makes it very difficult to grow agricultural crops under their canopy. Also, eucalyptus 'internally cycles' phosphorus. What this means is that the trees suck up the phosphorus from the soil and buries it within itself. When it needs it, it gets it from itself. Kind of like what we humans do with calcium in our bones. As such, soil around eucalyptus trees often has very low amounts of phosphorus.
Think of chipping small branches as the action of human chewing his/her food. It starts the enzymatic breakdown and facilitates digestion. This is true for small twigs and branches, NOT FOR STEMWOOD. Which is why it may not be a good idea to use waste from industrial mills. Hardwood twigs. Cheers ----- Original Message ----- From: "Liz Davis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: August 31, 2002 12:56 PM Subject: Wood chips > Hi Robin > > I am interested in reading more about this. I could be way off track here, > but can't help but wonder if it may be a solution, or part of, to a large > problem we face in Australia. native tree regeneration is having a > difficult time, as the trees will not establish in some areas due to the > conventional farming that has gone on previously. As you can imagine it is > a fairly new problem, which only continues to grow at this point in time. > Originally I was thinking that leaf litter,(specific to that region) > including twigs were put back into these areas to aid the return of > necessary microorganisms, required by native trees. It was my uni that got > me going on this topic. > Thanks > > L&L > Liz >
