WOOD FIBER RESIDUES FOR MULCHING NEWLY CONSTRUCTED ROADSIDES IN WYOMING

The purpose of this study was to develop information on the suitability of softwood sawmill residues for mulching recently constructed roadsides in Wyoming. Sawmill residues consist of material usually disposed of by burning or stockpiling such as bark, sawdust and slivers of wood from the debarking operation. A comparison of wood-residue mulched plots to straw mulched plots revealed treatments of eleven and fifteen green tons per acre of wood residue produced more grasses and less weeds than two tons per acre straw treatments. Also, asphalt tacking of wood residue plots produced more grass than untacked plots especially during the second growing season. Based on the results of this study, the Wyoming Highway Department added wood residues to its list of acceptable mulches for highway seeding projects. This study addressed the effectiveness of wood residues mulching on two growing seasons of grass production. Follow-up studies are needed to assess long-range results. Also, preliminary indications are that wood residue mulching is less expensive than mulching with conventional straw or hay mulches. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to assess the economic benefits of wood residue mulching. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Wyoming State Forestry Division

  Forestry Building, 1100 West 22nd Street
  Cheyenne, WY  United States  82002

  Wyoming State Highway Department

  ,    

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Ludeman, W
  • Sedbrook, T
  • Sims, J A
  • Painter, L
• Publication Date: 1980-9

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures;
• Pagination: 10 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Bark; Grasses; Mulching; Roadside; Sawdust; Seeding; Straw; Waste products (Materials)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Wood pulp
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00342381
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proj No. I-90-4(55)
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 22 1981 12:00AM