rotting wood

[murray]

Hello all. I've been clearing some 'decking' (really old bits of pallet) from outside the shed. Most of this wood is rotten and becoming almost friable. Could I put this on the compost heap or will it be too fungi-ridden to be any good? I dont want to infest the heap with unhealthy lurgies. Any opinions would be gratefully taken on board. Murray

[Peter]

Should be fine. Wood chip goes nicely in compost and that is just larger chips.

Only two notes of caution.

1. Be careful when you go to dig the compost out in case you are trying to lift one end of a plank.
2. If there is a really good wood eating fungus on a bit and you lay it against your wooden compost bin you might find the bin does not last as long as it would otherwise.

[murray]

Thanks Peter

[Nicos]

Have you put wood preserver on it in the past?
If so perhaps you should burn it instead

[murray]

I havent, tho the wood has been there longer than I've had the allotment. Perhaps it has been painted in the past. It might be best to just bin it.

[rustylady]

Bin it or burn it if you are unsure.

[SimonCole]

You should avoid breathing in the dust or gas from burning because some treatments contained arsenic back in the early 90s/80s. Likewise, it is fairly useless for compost, because you also have the problem of various other compounds. From my studies, we have had wood preservatives highlighted several times as a danger to the environment and people.

[murray]

That's cheering news!..eek