Hey everyone! I've been tackling the spread of cherry laurel in a native woodland, and it's been quite a challenge. After using a chainsaw and other tools to significantly cut back this massive plant, I've got loads of cuttings and logs piled up where the laurel used to grow. A friend suggested moving everything to a dip in the land—there's a spot from an old quarry that could work for this. I'm concerned about two things: 1) Will the laurel start growing back from the logs and cuttings if I move them? And 2) Am I risking the integrity of good soil by relocating these piles? I'm hoping to figure out the best way to manage these cuttings. Thanks for any advice!
2 Answers
It’s great that you’re taking action against the cherry laurel! What I'd suggest is to let those cuttings dry out before mixing them with some soil, as this can really speed up the decay process. If you can, try splitting the logs down the middle to help with this too. Just keep in mind that cherry laurel is toxic, so be sure to read up on how to handle it, especially if you’re chipping it!
Moving logs and cuttings can be tough, especially if you’re using machinery since it can compact the soil. If you're not extracting anything, I’d recommend keeping the piles where they are. Consider making two separate piles at each site: one for the brash (the small branches and cuttings) and another for neatly stacked logs. They actually provide different habitats, which is a win-win! Plus, letting a few cherry laurel logs break down isn’t going to degrade the soil.