[USCC] Applying Wood Chips To Soil

[KPowell@kdhe.state.ks.us]

Good Afternoon Compost World,

This is not exactly a composting question, but more of an organics
question.  We have a smaller county in Kansas that has a large cabinet
manufacturing facility.  They have chosen not to landfill the kiln dried
scrap wood and would like to grind it to 3/4" or less and then use it as a
soil amendment for crop land.  Their idea is that this would over time
improve the tilth because of the organics that would be left as the wood
breaks down.  The soil in the area is a silty clay.  The questions are:

Has anyone been involved in such a project and what were the results?

How much additional nitrogen is needed per ton of wood added to the soil?

How much wood waste could be added per acre per year?



Ken Powell
Environmental Scientist
Kansas Department of Health & Environment
Bureau of Waste Management
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320
Topeka, KS  66612-1366
Phone 785-296-1121, Fax 785-296-1592
e-mail:  kpowell at kdhe.state.ks.us
Web site:  www.kdheks.gov/waste